MEMOIR 



OF 



WILLIAM VAUGHAN, Esq. F.R.S 



WITH 



MISCELLANEOUS PIECES 



RELATIVE TO 



DOCKS, COMMERCE, ETC. 



Nisi utile est quod facimus, stulta est gloria. 




LONDON : 
SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 65, CORNHILL. 



1839. 






LONDON : 

MUKHANT, PRINTER, I NC. RAM-COURT, I ENC1I I Rl H-STREET. 



LC Control Number 



tmp96 031987 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Introduction ••••• •••• 1 

Memoir • •••*•• 4 

State of the Port of London in 1793 * • 23 

Tides 36 

Russian Correspondence 40 

London as it was in 1 793 42 

Metropolis and Port of London in 1836 43 

Commerce and England 51 

Inland Navigation and Canals • 72 

On Ship-building and the Preservation of Timber • • 81 

Royal Exchange Assurance 91 

Address to British Seamen on the Mutiny at the Nore • • • • 98 

Lord Duncan's Victory • 102 

Savings' Banks — London Provident Institution 105 

Letter to Samuel Rogers, Esq. and his replies Ill 

Letter to William Maltby, Esq. and reply 114 

Poor Richard exemplified ••• 115 

The Duke of Sussex's Address to the Royal Society, 30th 

November, 1837 119 

Professors Bowditch and Hassler • • • • 123 

Missionaries 126 

Russian Correspondence continued 130 



Reasons in favour of the London Docks, printed in 1795, and 
reprinted in 1796 and 1797. 



PREFACE. 



Between the years 1793 and 1800, I wrote and 
printed several Tracts on Docks, with Hints on 
Commerce, and on other subjects, to promote the 
formation of Docks and other accommodations for 
the Port of London. They were generally circu- 
lated, but were not designed for publication. 

As many of these objects have been long com- 
pleted, and as copies of some of these tracts still 
remain on hand, it may not be thought uninteresting 
to make as complete a collection of them as can 
now be accomplished, and they will be found in the 
Appendix. Some few of the smaller tracts relating 
to the Docks being out of print, and being at this 
time of little value, it has not been thought worth 
while to reprint them. 

Having had some leisure, and wishing to make 
myself useful to society, I associated early in life 
with some of those Committees whose objects were 
congenial with my own feelings, and as many of 
them had been sanctioned and adopted by the 
public, they floated down the stream of time by 



Nl PBB1 ACE. 

their own merits, and those who voluntarily ten- 
dered their services found their labours amply 
repaid by their success. 

These views and pursuits induced me to procure 
from Captain Woodward a Narrative of his sutler ii 
at Celebes (which is noticed in the Memoir, page 
0), and which I published with an Introduction and 
an Appendix, containing many well-authenticated 
details of escapes from shipwrecks under great 
hardships; shewing the importance of discipline, 
union, confidence, and perseverance in the midst 
of scenes of danger, distress, and abstinence.* 

The Memoir, Introduction, and Miscellaneous 
Part, with some few exceptions, were written 
within the last two years, and under great disad- 
vantages, as I have been obliged to employ an 
•amanuensis, owing to an imperfection in my sight. 

1 am indebted to my friend Mr. Alexander for 
proposing as a frontispiece a sketch drawn by his 
son, the Uev. 1). Alexander, from my bust in his 
pOBteMM, executed by Sir F. Chantrey in the 
year 1*11. I take this opportunity of thankm- 
hun for his kindness; and though it II the fashion 

■ \ t\w copies ofth'u work may itill be had of Messrs. Smith, 
Elder, ft I CornhHI. 



PREFACE. Vll 



in these times for authors to give their own like- 
nesses as an introduction to their works, yet as 
they often outlive them, I wish to build my hopes 
on a surer foundation, by presuming to present this 
little collection with diffidence to the public, rely- 
ing on their kindness and candour for its favourable 
reception. 

The Introduction and Miscellaneous Parts to this 
little collection may be deemed rather as sketches 
or observations on events that have risen out of the 
temper and spirit of the times we live in, than as 
a history or memoir of a private individual ; and 
if they should prove interesting and useful to others, 
my great objects will be accomplished. 

The Introduction and Miscellaneous Part of these 
little Tracts having been printed off, it is too late 
to do otherwise than insert the following excellent 
sentiments of Mr. Justice Park, extracted from the 
" National Gazette," published at Philadelphia, 
22d February, 1839, which has just been received, 
and is as follows : — " The late eminent Judge, 
" Sir Allan Park, once said at a public meeting in 
" the City of London, — ' We live in the midst of 
" ' blessings till we are utterly insensible of their 



nil pb ii u i.. 



u < 



u < 

a i 



(I i 



1 greatness and of the source from which they 
1 ' How. We speak of our civilization, our arts, 
! ' our freedom, our laws, and forget bow Ian 
share of all is due to Christianity. Blot Chris- 
' tianity out of the page of man's history, and 
what would his laws have been, what his civili- 
zation? Christianity is mixed up with our very 
" ' being and our daily life ; there is not a familiar 
" ' object around us which does not wear a different 
aspect because the light of Christian hope is on 
it. Not a law which does not owe its truth and 
g< ntleness to Christianity ; not a custom which 
" * cannot be traced in all its holy and healthful 
" ■ parts to the Gospel.'" 

If it had been seen in time, this interesting para- 
graph would have natu rally appeared at page 126 
of the Miscellaneous Part, where the introduction of 
Christianity is stated to have contributed so lamb 

to the religious and moral improvement and happi- 
DeSS of society. 

These admirable sentiments o( the late Sir Allan 
Park require no comment, as they speak for them- 
selves. 

WILLIAM YAUGHAN. 

/.on, /on, \th April, L839. 



INTRODUCTION, 



When a man has entered the eighty-seventh year of his 
age, it is time for him to revert to events that have passed ; 
and to put his house in order, preparatory to his going 
hence to be no more in this state' of probation. 

Under the warning admonitions of age, the following 
suggestions present themselves ; — That men ought to value 
life more from its importance and utility, when conducted 
upon correct principles, than from its longevity. If men 
in the enjoyment of health, strength, and the use of their 
faculties, were, during the summer and autumn of life, 
zealously to improve the talents committed to their care to 
the best advantage, they would secure much comfort and 
happiness for themselves, as well as for the rising genera- 
tion, and would receive great consolation during the infir- 
mities which generally accompany old age. 

It may be observed in general, that men spend a third, 
a fourth, or a fifth part of their lives in infancy and educa- 
tion, and that there are but few characteristic events in 
either of these stages ; but when both these periods are 
combined, they may be considered as the two stepping 



l VI ROD! CTK 

ladders to die Btage of life, where men often form their 
own characters and stations in every class of society, and 

where they frequently rise by their talents, industry, and 
perseverance, to wealth, honour, rank, and power. 

It will be found that talents and industry so happily 
adapt themselves to the common concerns of life, as 
frequently to raise men from the lower stations to the 
higher ; that knowledge is a power of the first magnitude, 
and discovers the great laws of nature, from astronomy, 
the parent of knowledge, down to chemistry and minera- 
logy. 

The laws of nature, though simple, are grand and 
sublime; and the more they are discovered, the nearer 
they will approach each other; but when cemented by 
combinations, there is no knowing to what extent they 
may promote the comforts and happiness of man. 

Accidents have also given birth to important d 
which, when matured by experiments and caleulat! 
are often productive of great and important ad van 
scientific and practical objects, that contribute to the i 
venience, comforts, and happineSf : and t! 

discoveries, when united with others, increase their utility. 

There are few men whose names are more familiar to 
oar ears in tins country, as the promoters of knows 
run 1 science, than Bacon, Boyle, Newton, HaUey, Her- 
schell, Franklin, Priestley, Watt, Davy, Arkwright, and 
Peel. 

The observations and die of some oi' that 

tinguished una led t<> the change of the Old to the & 
Style m 1752 ; an art that ha I a greater revolution 

m the civil concerns of this country, without bloodshed, 
than many of its w 



INTRODUCTION. 3 

Early in the era of the New Style, the march of intel- 
lect had been making rapid strides, almost as quick as 
thought ; owing perhaps much of the rapidity of its pro- 
gress to the combination of the various branches of know- 
ledge and science, and the application of machinery to 
the different arts. After the effervescence of the moment 
has subsided, it is hoped some will shoot out into new 
discoveries and ramifications, producing endless varieties 
conducive to usefulness and happiness. About the period 
alluded to, England began to increase in population, agri- 
culture, civilization, arts, manufactures, and commerce. 

After these digressions, it may be time to resume the 
consideration of the great importance and utility of human 
life ; and perhaps one of the best means of obtaining that 
knowledge is for a man to ask himself whether he would 
wish to live his life over again ; and at my age I may be 
allowed to take the liberty of stating, that on the whole, 
having enjoyed health, strength, and the use of my facul- 
ties, with many friendships and attachments, though not 
without many trials, I think 1 should have little hesitation 
in making my choice in the affirmative, wishing some 
things, however, undone, and others improved. 



b "Z 



NARRATIVE. 

With these sentiments, it can hardly be expected that 1 
should give the details of the birth, parentage, and life of 
a private individual. With all the allurements that are 
attached to biography, people are too apt to descend to 
the frolics of a school-boy, or the eccentricities of a man, 
which are little interesting to the public ; and it would be 
better, I conceive, for a man's ladings to die with him, and 
his virtues to live after him. 

Suffice it to say, my parents were of good families, and 
much respected; they had eleven children; two died when 
young, and the remainder lived long after their parents, 
and were respected in their different stations of life. 

As to myself, 1 was the second son of Samuel Yaughan, 
Esq., long a merchant in London, and Sarah, the daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Hallowed, Esq., of Boston, Massachosi 
1 was born on the 22d of Sept. 1752, a month and a year 
ever memorable in this country for the alteration of the 
Style; and, if it is of any further importance, my birthday 
i- remarkable from the coronation of George III. having 
taken place on its anniversary in 1763, which, as Long 
he lived, was kept with public rejoicing 

My parent- were desirous of giving their children a 
and useful edueation ; and my excellent mother pa 

attention to then- health, religion, morals, and temper. 

I was placed at an early age at Mr. NeV< chool 

in Hackney, (oneofthe beat private schools of the day,) 
and from thence was removed to the academy at Warring- 
ton, where my rider brother Benjamin had preceded me, 



NARRATIVE. O 

and which is situated between Liverpool and Manchester, 
the seats of commerce and manufactures. At Warrington 
I derived many advantages from attending the various 
lectures on history, literature, and general knowledge, 
which may perhaps have had a tendency to give a bent to 
some of my occupations in life, for which opportunities I 
feel grateful to my parents. 

The academy at Warrington, at that period, was held 
in great estimation from the reputation of its tutors and 
the greater field they held out in promoting general know- 
ledge and science on liberal principles, and many other 
pursuits not to be obtained in common grammar-schools. 
Dr. Aikin, the divinity tutor, was a man of great reputa- 
tion, and was the parent of Dr. John Aikin and Mrs. Bar- 
bauld, whose literary works are well known to the public. 
Dr. Priestley was another tutor distinguished for his amiable 
character and kindness of manner as well as for his literary 
and philosophical pursuits, and for his lectures on history, 
&c. &c. My eldest brother Benjamin and myself resided 
in his house, and derived very great advautages from that 
circumstance. 

My brother was possessed of considerable talents and 
general knowledge, which by perseverance made him con- 
versant with philosophical pursuits, and introduced him to 
the acquaintance of many distinguished men. 

After leaving Warrington he went to Cambridge, and 
thence to the Temple, where he studied law, and went 
subsequently to Edinburgh, where he studied medicine, 
but never practised either professionally. He was in 
Parliament for some time, and afterwards removed to 
America, and resided many years at Hallowell, in the 
State of Maine, where he continued his literary, scientific, 



6 



N ARRATIVK. 



and agricultural pursuits. His valuable library was easy 
nf access, particularly to medical men, and he was often 
With them at their consultations as a friend, but not pro- 
lonally. He died in December, 1835, in his eighty- 
fifth year, much beloved by his family and regretted by 
society. He was well acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks, 
Mr. Cavendish, Dr. Price, Dr. Franklin, Sir Charles 
Blagden, and Dr. Priestley, who, when he published his 
Lectures on History, in 1797, dedicated them to his pupil. 
His friendship and connexions with Dr. Franklin were 
intimate and lasting, particularly during the period when 
my brother was confidentially employed to promote the 
negociation for a peace with America. In 1779 he col- 
lected and published, without a name, the " Political, 
" Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Essays of Dr. Frank- 
" lin r " which was the best collection that could then be 
obtained. In 1796 a more enlarged collection of Dr. 
Franklin's papers, with his life, appeared in 3 vol. 8vo. 
which my brother also superintended. He afterwards, 
with other friends, prevailed on Dr. Franklin to collect his 
works and to write a memoir of his own life, which v. 
subsequently published by his grandson, Temple Franklin, 
in 3 vol. 4 to.* One copy of the manuscript life was sent 
to the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, at Paris, and another 
copy was Bent to my brother, which the Doctor kindly 
permitted me to peruse. It remained some tune in my 
possessi n, and I profited much from the life and 



* There ifl a more recent publication <>»' Dr. Franklin's Life, Works, 
ami Letters, bj Jared Sparks, insixtoran 

I li.i\ r in iu\ jM.s M ssion a go< <1 portrait of Dr, Franklin ami his walking- 
whkh in gave lo mj father, ami nrhrch I greatly rail 



NARRATIVE. 7 

writings of a man who was an ornament to society, 
and who ever considered utility as the great principle 
of life. 

With respect to myself I shall only state that I attend- 
ed all the lectures at Warrington except Divinity ; it being 
intended that I should follow mercantile pursuits. My 
studies were much directed to geography, history, travels, 
and voyages of discovery. I took great interest in ac- 
counts of shipwrecks and other disasters at sea. I also 
saw and heard a great deal respecting canals, docks, 
manufactures, commerce, and population; and as small 
beginnings often lead to greater efforts, I was, in 1791, 
induced to join with some friends in endeavouring to pro- 
cure a good collection of the history and plans of the 
canals of this country, with a view of forming a society 
for their encouragement; and, for this object, I wrote a 
prospectus, which appeared on the wrapper of the Euro- 
pean Magazine ; but the attempt failed. A copy of this 
paper will be found in the Miscellaneous Part, No. 1. 

In Dr. Kees' Cyclopaedia will be found an accurate 
description of all the canals then made, making, and 
projected in England ; and there is also another article in 
the same work which gives much information on the sub- 
ject of docks. With a view to these objects I made a 
collection of all the plans of canals, both English and 
foreign, which I could meet with, with descriptions and 
details, forming three large folio volumes; and another 
collection on the subject of docks, which formed two 
volumes more, with various other documents connected 
with these subjects. 

A society was also formed for the improvement of naval 



8 



N A URATIVE. 



architecture, and for collecting the best information on 
that subject, in which the late Colonel Beaufoy took the 
lead. Many experiments were made in the Greenland 
Docks of importance to science, which were conducted 
principally under his inspection; and his son, Henry 
Beaufoy, Esq., of South Lambeth, has lately published 
an account of them in a princely style, giving the work to 
a great many public bodies and private individuals both 
at home and abroad. 

Some of the first naval men of the time belonged to 
this society, and his late Majesty William IV. when Duke 
of Clarence, honoured it with his sanction. I often at- 
tended the committee with Colonel Beaufoy, Captain 
Laird, R.N., Mr. Daniel Brent, the ship-builder, and 
others ; and 1 contributed a paper on naval architecture 
and the preservation of timber, a copy of which will be 
found in the Miscellaneous Part, No. 2. 

In 1783 I was elected a Director of the Royal Exchange 
Assurance Corporation, and continued in it, first as direc- 
tor and afterwards as sub-governor and governor, until the 
year 1829, a period of forty-six years without intermission. 
This period embraced the most useful, important, and 
pleasant part of my life, during which I formed many 
friendslups and attachments. Having some leisure, and 
Wishing to make myself useful in that situation, I die* 
out various general and consolidated statements of the 
different branches of the concerns of the corporation for 

a century, namely, from the year 1720 to 1819 inclusive, 
for which I received the thanks of the Court, and they 

were pleased to adopt many of the hints and Suggestions 

therein submitted to then- consideration, and t<> request 



NARRATIVE. 



9 



to sit for my portrait, which was painted by Mr. Phillips. 
In the Miscellaneous Part, No. 3, will be found the Re- 
solutions of the Court, and my answer for their thanks, 
and also for my picture being permitted to be hung 
up in the Court-room. These documents were contained 
in seven volumes, and when completed, including the 
final report upon all these transactions down to 1827, were 
presented, in December 1837, with a letter, a copy of 
which is annexed ; but unfortunately all these reports and 
statements were destroyed by the late dreadful fire at the 
Royal Exchange, as well as the portraits of Edward 
Foster, Esq. governor ; William Vaughan, Esq. governor ; 
Pasco Grenfell, Esq. governor ; and Samuel Penning, Esq. 
for long services, and many years a sitting director. 

In 1796 I became acquainted with Captain David Wood- 
ward, and received from him an account of his hardships 
and sufferings in the Celebes Seas, and of his residence in 
the island of that name. He was the mate of the Ameri- 
can ship Enterprize, Captain Hubbard, going from Batavia 
to Manilla, and being detained for some weeks in the 
Straits of Macassar by head winds, and in distress for pro- 
visions, his captain sent him with four men to a vessel at 
a distance to request supplies ; but not being able to pro- 
cure any beyond a momentary refreshment, they left that 
ship the next morning, taking with them only a bottle of 
brandy. They lost sight of both vessels and fell in with a 
Malay proa, with the crew of which they endeavoured to 
barter for supplies, offering them money in exchange. 
The Malays attempted to fire on them, but their muskets 
failed, when Woodward soon after pushed into an inlet in 
the island of Celebes, and while they were cutting cocoa- 



10 



NARRATIVE. 



nuts the Malays seized his boat and killed George Miller, 
the man who was left in charge of it. Woodward and the 
survivors, after enduring great hardships fur nearly twelve 
days and almost without provisions, surrendered them- 
selves to the natives and lived amongst them, with various 
hardships, between two and three years. They then seized 
a boat, reached Macassar, found their way to Batavia, 
and thence to Calcutta. 

While Captain Woodward was there, the Ship America 
arrived in Bengal, and, to his great surprise and jov, it was 
commanded by his old friend Captain Hubbard, the very 
Captain with whom he had sailed three years before in the 
Enterprise, when he lost him in his boat in the Straits of 
Macassar. Captain Hubbard was quite overjoyed to see 
Captain Woodward, and soon convinced him that he had 
not forgotten him, and told him that he had given up the 
boat for lost, after having waited in the Straits for three 
days, and had sent home his clothes to his wife, (or widow 
as he supposed) with the balance of his wages. 

Captain Hubbard pressed Captain Woodward to go with 
him to the Mauritius, and promised that, on their arrival 
there he should succeed him in the command of the 
America, which belonged to the same owners as the 
Enterprise, 

At the Mauritius Captain Woodward met with three of 
his old messmates and fellow-sufferers,— John ( tge 

Williams, and William Culeon. The other, named Etol 
Gilbert! had previously gone to America. A- mav be sup- 
posed, they were not a little glad to B66 eaeh other BgSSD. 

Being now in a more prosperous situation than when thev 

firsl parted, lie furnished them with clothes and BQ< 

Captain Woodward being appelated to the command 



NARRATIVE. 



11 



the America at the Mauritius, arrived in London in 1796, 
consigned to my firm. I obtained from him a narrative 
of his sufferings, which was afterwards published by Mr. 
Johnson, in the year 1805. I dedicated it to my friend and 
relative, Captain Benjamin Hallo well, an officer well known 
in the British navy as one of Lord Nelson's Captains in the 
action of the Nile.* 

Captain Hallowell was afterwards created an Admiral 
and Knight-Commander of the Bath, and took the name 
of Carew, with an estate bequeathed to him by our relative, 
Mrs. Gee, of Beddington Park, Surrey, and entailed upon 
his heirs. 

To Captain Woodward's narrative was added a list of 
fifty-two well-authenticated cases of accidents, shipwrecks, 
and interesting escapes by sea and land, calculated to 
teach that none should even under the most unfavourable 
circumstances despair. 

Messrs. Constable have since published Woodward's 
Narrative in their Collection of Voyages, vols. 78 
and 79. 

* " Part of the Orient's main-mast was picked up by the Swiftsure; 
"Captain Hallowell ordered his carpenter to make a coffin of it; the 
" iron as well as wood was taken from the wreck of the same ship : it 
" was finished as well and handsomely as the workman's skill and ma- 
" terials would permit ; and Captain Hallowell then sent it to the Admiral 
" with the following letter : — 

" Sir, — I have taken the liberty of presenting to you a coffin made 
" from the main-mast of IS Orient, that when you have finished your 
" military career in this world, you may be buried in one of your tro- 
" phies. But that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of 
" your sincere friend, Benjamin Hallowell." — Southey's Life of 
Nelson. 



12 NARRATIVE. 

I had the pleasure of seeing Captain Hubbard wlien he 
came to London, and of receiving from him a written con- 
firmation of Captain Woodward's Narrative ; and it is also 
a remarkable fact, that one of the seamen who was with 
Captain Woodward, some years afterwards called on me, 
and after perusing the narrative, said it was very accu- 
rate. He had been in the navy, and wished me to recom- 
mend his son to 1 e made a midshipman. 

An attempt was made to form a society for the purpose 
of preserving life, and aiding those who might be exposed 
to shipwrecks or other hardships, by collecting the nar- 
ratives of those who had survived such trials, that others 
might profit by their experience ; but the attempt failed. 

I felt it my duty, at various periods during the long 
war, to attend with others the different committees for 
public subscriptions ; such as that upon the loss of the 
Royal George with Admiral Kempenfelt at Portsmouth, 
on the 3d August, 1782 ; that for the suppression of the 
mutiny at the Nore; and afterwards on another committee 
for raising a subscription for the relief of the wounded and 
the families of those who were killed at the battle oi' 
Camperdown, under Lord Duncan, when a very large sum 
was collected. This victory was highly important for its 
preventing a descent on Ireland. 

The year 1797 was a year <A' much anxiety, from a state 
of insubordination instigated by evil-minded persons in the 
British navy ; and also by the mutiny at the Nbre, which 
excited so much attention, that the merchants, bank* 
and trailers of Loudon were publicly convened to meet on 



NARRATIVE. 13 

the Royal Exchange, in order to take prompt measures to 
restore tranquillity ; and they came to a resolution to 
recommend, that all persons who were concerned in the 
same should not in future be again employed in the naval 
and merchant service of this country. An active com- 
mittee was appointed, and a large subscription raised to 
take such measures as might be deemed expedient upon 
such an occasion. These resolutions were printed and 
circulated, and found their way the next morning early 
on board the man of war in which Parker and his asso- 
ciates were assembled ; and from the information given by 
an elder brother of the Trinity House, who had been 
detained on board, he stated that the resolutions had pro- 
duced a great effect on Parker and the ship's crew. 

The committee were active in their exertions, and to 
promote their views, I drew up a little address to the 
British seamen, which was approved and circulated by the 
aid of Sir Evan Nepean, Secretary of the Navy. 

The resolutions of the merchants, and this address, 
went to prove how much the British seamen were better 
off than the seamen of other countries. A copy of the 
address will be found in the Miscellaneous Part, No. 4. 

As one of the committee, I accompanied Captain King, 
(an elder brother of the Trinity House) to the Admiralty, 
and saw Sir Evan Nepean, and after some conversation we 
were introduced to Mr. Pitt and Earl Spencer. 

The committee appropriated the funds raised in the pur- 
chase of swords and plate, as presents to the officers, and 
in gratuities to the men, for the performance of their duty, 
and the suppression of the mutiny. 

I felt it my duty also to attend the embarkation of 
volunteers from the Dundee Arms in Wapping down to 



14 N ABRATI1 B. 

Woolwich ; and just as the Gravesend boat was going off, 
I received a note from Sir Evan Nepean, stating that the 
mutiny was at an end. But the boat departed, to entitle 
the men to receive their bounty. 

In the year 1797 there were two naval actions, both of 
them important in themselves, and peculiarly so from the 
state of the times : one was that of Sir John Jervis, off 
Cape St. Vincent, in February, and the other that of 
Admiral Duncan, on the 11th October, which dispelled the 
gloom that had hung over the nation. They were important 
from the confidence which was restored to the country, 
and preventing, as before stated, a descent upon Ireland. 

Sir John Jervis, with fifteen sail of the line, two of which 
were three-deckers, off Cape St. Vincent, fell in with and 
gallantly engaged the Spanish fleet, under Admiral Don 
Joseph de Cordova, of twenty-seven sail of the line, seven 
of which were three-deckers, and captured four of them, 
two of which were three-deckers, lie was ably seconded 
by Rear-Admiral Nelson and the Captains of his division. 
In this action British valour shone with the 
splendour. 

Duncan, being reinforced, sailed with sixteen ships ol 

the line, and engaged the Dutch fleet consisting o\' -even- 
teen sail of the line-, commanded by Admiral De Winter, 
and after a gallant, and severe conflict, Admiral De 

Winter's flag was struck, his ship being totally disabled, 

and Lord Dunean look ten ships of the line; tin 
destroyed, and 4 escaped to the Texrl. niuh r the command 
of the Dutch Admiral, Story. Admiral De Winter a 
received IB this country with all the respect and attention 

due t<> Ins gallant conduct upon the occasion. 



NARRATIVE. 



15 



It is stated that at a dinner given by one of the ministers 
to Lord Duncan and Admiral De Winter, that when the 
health of the latter was given, he appealed to Lord 
Duncan, whether, if the other four ships had not left him, 
he would not in all probability have gained the victory. 
Lord Duncan, with that pleasantry and delicacy so natural 
to him, replied by rilling his glass, and saying, " Admiral 
" De Winter, I am exceedingly happy to drink your 
" health in this good company." 

A large sum of money was. raised by subscription for the 
relief of the sufferers in the above action, and a com- 
mittee was appointed for its management. 

The committee in the several reports of their proceed- 
ings upon 9th July, 1801, 29th October, 1802, and 17th 
January, 1804, stated, that out of 1040 cases of persons 
reported to have been killed or wounded in Lord Duncan's 
action, that all the wounded and the relatives of those who 
were killed, were relieved, except thirty-six, who could not 
be found, and that the unclaimed gratuities which had 
been allotted to these persons, were given to the consuls 
and churches in London of the different nations to which 
the foreign seamen belonged, and a portion of those gra- 
tuities that were then lapsed, to Greenwich Hospital, to 
the Merchant Seamen's Office, and to the Marine Society, 
as institutions intimately connected with the naval and 
mercantile service of this country : also donations to an 
hospital in London, another in Edinburgh, and one in Dublin, 
upon the condition of their receiving such wounded seamen 
as were in Lord Duncan's action that applied for admission. 

In order to secure the regular payment of certain other 
annuities that had been granted to those who had been 
severely wounded, or to the families of those who had 



16 NARRATIVE. 

been killed, the committee transferred to the Marine 
Society, in trust, the amount of those anuuities, under 
certain regulations ; for the particulars of which vide Mis- 
cellaneous Part, No. 5. 

At the battle of the Nile, on the 21st of August, 1798, 
Rear-Admiral Nelson, with thirteen ships of the line, (one 
of which, the Culloden, got on shore, and was not in the 
action) and one of fifty guns and a brig, en^ag^ed the 
French fleet under Admiral Crueys, consisting of thirteen 
ships of the line and four frigates, and totally defeated it, 
taking and destroying eleven ships and two frigates. One 
of those ships of the line that escaped, and one frigate, 
the Diane, were taken at Malta, and the other ship of the 
line by a squadron in the Mediterranean. The British 
fleet had 1000 guns and 8000 men. The French fleet 
1200 guns, and ten to 11,000 men. 

With respect to the battle of Trafalgar, which took 
place on the 21st October, 1805, Lord Nelson was ablv 
seconded by Admiral Collingwood ; and the fleet consisted 
of twenty-seven ships and four frigates, and the combined 
fleets of France and Spain, commanded by Admirals 
Villeueuve and Alava, consisted of thirty-three ships of the 
line and seven large frigates. Admiral Collingwood sent 
to Gibraltar of the 

Enemy's Reel ..... 4 

Destroyed . . . . . . 16 

Escaped to Cadiz, wrecks ... fi 

Ditto serviceable ... 3 

Ditto to the southward . . 1 






NARRATIVE. 



17 



And to crown the victory, great as it was, Rear-Admiral 
Sir R. Stracban, with four sail of the line and three 
frigates, fell in off Ferrol with the four sail of the line that 
escaped from Trafalgar under Admiral Dumanoir, and 
took them on the 4th of November, 1805, thus annihilating 
the enemy's naval power. 

In the battle of Trafalgar Nelson lost his life, and the 
country one of its greatest heroes. He was buried at St. 
Paul's with public honours, in the coffin given him by Cap- 
tain Hallowell ; and the members of the Houses of Lords 
and Commons attended the ceremony as chief mourners. 

It is a curious fact, that Mr. Clerk, of Eldin, near 
Edinburgh, wrote a book on naval tactics, without having 
been at sea or on board a man of war, in which work he 
recommended the breaking the enemy's line and doubling on 
the division that was to windward, and by so doing to 
defeat an enemy's fleet of greater force. 

Lord Rodney, Lord St. Vincent, and Lord Nelson tried 
the experiment with success, and each of them wrote a 
letter to Mr. Clerk, stating that they were greatly indebted 
to his suggestions for their victories. 

It may be remarked, that during a long war, England, 
by the superiority of its navy and discipline, obtained 
victories over the combined fleets of France, Spain, and 
Holland, and destroyed their naval power; and Wellington 
at Waterloo, by land, overcame the most renowned general 
of the age, and gave peace and tranquillity to Europe. 

I belonged to the Society for bettering the Condition 
of the Poor, which, in 1815, came to a resolution 
to recommend the establishment, in the metropolis, of 
those useful and important institutions, Savings Banks ; 



18 



NARRATIVE. 



and a meeting was held in Westminster, at which a 
number of distinguished and respectable persons attended, 
for the purpose of forming the Bank which was afterwards 
opened at Leicester-place. At this meeting I stated, 
that it was in contemplation to establish one in the City 
of London ; and subsequently it was settled, by a meeting 
of a few friends at my house, that one should be esta- 
blished. This was carried into effect at Bishopsgate 
Church-yard, in July 1816, whence it was transferred 
to a new building at Blomfield-street, Moorfields, (its 
present situation,) in 1828; and, on laying the first stone, 
I received a silver trowel, with the following inscription : — 

Respectfully 
presented by 
Mr. James Foster, 
Builder, 
to 
WILLIAM VAUGHAN, Esq. 
Governor 
of the 
ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE 
COMPANY, 
on his laying the First Stone 
of the 
LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION, 
OR BANK FOR SWINGS, 
in Blomi iKLD-Srin.K t, Moorfiei.i>>, 
in the City of London, 
he being one of the Vice-Presidents, and Chairman 
of all Commits 
on the 20th day of September, 
fv>7. 

•LB. SiiEiMi i.kd, Bsq. Architect. 



NARRATIVE. 19 

In February, 1836, in consequence of increasing age 
and infirmities, I resigned my situation as Chairman of 
the Superintending Committee, and their thanks were 
returned to me for my services, as will be found, with 
my answer, in the Miscellaneous Part, No. 6. 

In consequence of the great increase of the business 
of this Institution, the Committee purchased the lease 
of the house adjoining, pulled it down and rebuilt the 
same, having a new lease, for a longer term, granted 
by the City. Since its first establishment, in 1816, to 
20th November, 1837, during a period of 21 years, there 
has been received, including interest . . £2,609,640 4 
Deducting payments to depositors, in- 
cluding interest and disbursements 2,053,853 3 2 

Leaving the sum of £555,786 17 2 
due to 25,010 depositors. 

I was also on the Committee of the Society for the 
Refuge for the Destitute, and for the Society of Friends 
for the Relief of Foreigners in Distress. I resigned my 
situation as Treasurer to the latter in 1829, after holding it 
for twenty-one years, when I received a letter of thanks 
from the Committee. I also belonged to the Marine 
Society and Merchant Seamen's Office. 

From connexions and friends in America I became 
acquainted with many of the distinguished and literary 
characters of that country, and from their kindness I 
have been made an honorary member of the American 
Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, and of the Philo- 
sophical and Historical Societies at New York. I was 
likewise a member of a Committee for the relief of 

c2 



20 NARRATIVE. 

British prisoners in France, for whom a liberal subscription 
was raised. The money was transmitted, at various times, 
to a Committee of respectable officers and others, who 
were prisoners there, to be distributed in such a manner 
as should be found most advantageous. Regular returns 
of the application of the money were made to the Com- 
mittee in London. 

The New England Corporation for civilizing the Indians 
in New England and parts adjacent is one of which 
I am also a member. I became a member of this 
Company many years ago, and succeeded Sir William 
Pepperell, Bart, as Governor, which office I resinned 
in 1829, still retaining my situation as a member of the 
Company, and continuing upon their Committees. 

After New England became independent by the 
American revolution, the field of operations for the Com- 
pany was, by a decree of the Lord Chancellor, transferred 
to the British colonies adjacent to New England. 

The first operations of the Company, after ih 
took place, were in New Brunswick : but not meeting 
with the success they anticipated, they removed their 
establishment to Upper Canada, where it is principally 
confined to the Indians of the ^ix Nations upon the 
Grand River, consisting of the Mohawks and other ti 
who had removed from New England and thi 
adjacent. 

A portion of the funds under the Company's tine 

is applicable to the advancement of the Christian religion 
among Indians, Blacks, and Pagans in some 
more of Hi- Majesty's plantations, or colonies; and they 
have devoted ;» part of them, with some success, to the 



NARRATIVE. 21 

instruction of the negroes in Jamaica and other British 
islands in the West Indies. 

I have been for many years a fellow of the Royal 
Society, and a member of the Royal and London Institu- 
tions from their commencement. 

I have been a governor of St. Thomas's Hospital, and 
on its Committees for many years. 

I was many years, and still remain, a governor of 
Christ's Hospital, an Institution established by Edward VI. 
of great public utility, where many of our distinguished 
characters have been educated. It gave me much pleasure 
to promote the objects of Professor A. D. Bache, of 
Philadelphia, a great grandson of Franklin, the President 
of Girard College for Orphans, founded and endowed 
by the late Stephen Girard, a wealthy citizen of Phila- 
delphia. The Professor came to Europe to inspect such 
public establishments as were conducive to the carrying 
this great scheme into effect. He had free access to 
Christ's Hospital, and was much gratified to see those 
objects that promoted his views. 

I was made an honorary member of the Society of 
Civil Engineers at the time the docks for London were 
in contemplation and execution. I have belonged to 
many literary and charitable institutions which are not 
adverted to ; and it may now be time to conclude this 
digression. 

I have been placed in many situations where I have 
endeavoured to make myself useful, and been blessed 
with many friendships and attachments, and my wishes 
now induce me to decrease my occupations ; and I 
have found, from experience, that contentment forms 
a large portion of the happiness of human life; which 



22 NARRATIVE. 

is confirmed by what Mrs. Barbauld says, (whom I be- 
came acquainted with early in life,) who shews that, by 
moderating our wishes we may lessen many of our 
imaginary wants and evils; and I now seek, during the 
remainder of my life, for ease and retirement, and I look 
forward with a humble hope that I may hereafter be 
transferred to a better and happier state. 

September 22, 1838. 



REMARKS 

ON THE 

STATE OF THE PORT OF LONDON IN 1793 ; 

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE DOCKS 
AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS UP TO THE YEAR 1837 ; 

WITH 

A FEW HINTS AND OBSERVATIONS 

ON THE 

COMMERCE AND PROSPERITY OF ENGLAND. 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 

It was intended to have given a summary statement of 
each of the docks and their accommodations from their 
beginning to their completion; their rise, progress, objects, 
and dimensions ; but after a lapse of forty years and up- 
wards, and the charters of the docks for twenty-one years 
having long expired, it was thought advisable to complete 
this collection by putting together the Tracts that were 
written by me, and reprinting some that were out of print. 
It is only intended in this second part to give a brief 
abstract of this collection, referring to the Tracts themselves 
in the Appendix for further information. 

The Collection of Tracts for promoting docks, ware- 
houses, and other accommodations in the Port of London, 
were written between the years 1793 and 1800. The first 
of these Tracts was written in 1793, and being favourably 
received by the mercantile and shipping interests was then 
printed for private circulation; it suggested St. Katharine's, 
Wapping, the Isle of Dogs, and Rotherhithe as conve- 
nient places for them, giving the preference to the plan 
for the London-Docks at Wapping, on account of its 
local advantages, and its vicinity to the seat of commerce. 

These Tracts were first printed to show the wants of the 
Port of London in 1793, and the remedies proposed. 

A meeting of the chairmen of public bodies and of 
merchants was convened, by public advertisement, to meet 



2(> 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 



at the Merchant Seamen's Office, on the 6th March, 
1794, to take into consideration the state of the legal 
quays. They adjourned to the 14th March, to meet at 
the Marine Society's Office, to take into consideration the 
inadequacy of the legal quays for the accommodation of 
the trade of London, which were the same as at the 
time of Queen Elizabeth, between London- Bridge and the 
Tower; when it was resolved, after deliberation, that a 
committee of forty-one be appointed to take the same into 
consideration, and to report their proceedings, a< occasion 
might require, to a general meeting. The committee met 
on the 18th March, 1794, when they resolved that the 
legal quays and sufferance wharfs were inadequate for the 
accommodation of the Port, and that they would be ready 
to receive any information or proposals for the further ac- 
commodation of the trade. 

And upon the 13th March, 1795, the Committee came 
to the resolution, " that wet docks at Wapping would 
" best tend to remove the difficulties and inconveniences 
" which affected the commerce of the Port, and that they 
" were of opinion that the forming a cut from Black- 
" wall might be proposed, and that a communication o( 
" the plan should be made to the Corporation of the City 
" of London, and also to Government to request their 
" support." 

A general subscription having been agreed upon, and 
books opened for the purpose, the subscribers met at the 
London-Tavern, on the 5th January, 1796, Edward Fers- 
irr, Esq. in the chair, and after passing Beveral resolution! 

they agreed to prepare a petition to Parliament to bring in 
a bill for the purpose, and they further resolved, — 

" That the thanks of this meeting be given to the chair- 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 27 

" man, deputy-chairman, treasurer, and committee who 
" have prepared the business for this meeting." 
Also resolved, — 

" That the thanks of this meeting be given to William 
• Vaughan, Esq. for the assiduity and ability he has 
" manifested, and the assistance he has given during the 
" progress of this business." 

During the progress of their investigations the commit- 
tee of forty-one employed Mr. Powsey, who had recently 
constructed Mr. Perry's dock at Blackwall, to make a 
survey of Wapping ; and his report being approved of, on 
the 24th August, 1794, Captain Huddart and Mr. Vaughan 
were requested to find out an efficient person well qualified 
to make a regular and correct survey of the vacant space 
at Wapping for forming the London-Docks. 

Mr. Daniel Alexander, who had been employed in a 
difficult work of hydraulic architecture, in widening 
Rochester-bridge, and also as surveyor in building ware- 
houses in the Tidal works of the Port of London, and 
who was strongly recommended, was appointed to make a 
detailed and accurate survey of the site for docks at Wap- 
ping ; on account of its large open space of low land much 
below high water mark, and being covered by compara- 
tively few houses, with a fine entrance from the deep water 
of the pool at Bell-Dock. The survey was completed in 
seventy days, and was found so correct as to require no 
alterations. 

Various other plans were submitted, possessing merit ; 
but that for the London-Docks at Wapping being preferred, 
a committee was appointed to carry the same into execu- 
tion, as before stated. 

In the original plan of these docks submitted to Parlia- 



28 REMARKS OH DOCKS. 

incut was a cut from Blackvvall to the docks at Wapping, 
to avoid the circumnavigation of the Isle of Dogs, which 
was afterwards relinquished, and the application confined 
to the formation of " The London-Docks" only. On the 
plan submitted to Parliament was shown the number of 
streets and houses as they then stood ; and upon that plan 
was also drawn the outline of a dock of twen 
acres, giving the largest possible area of water, with the 
longest quay-room, and a figure a little irregular, to suit 
surrounding property, and a basin of three acres, with an 
entrance at Bell-Dock, afterwards approved of by the Court 
of Directors, in August, 1800 ; it was also further prop- 
to throw out a jetty into the dock, alongside of which 
ships might load and unload on three sides of the wharf. 

The whole was referred to a committee of civil 
of great repute, viz. R. Mylne, Joseph Huddart, John 
Rennie, and William Chapman, Esqrs. and the dock was 
executed by J. Rennie, Esq. 

On the 3d of February, 1801, Mr. Vaughan, wishing to 
aid the operations of these engineers, took the libertj 
BUggesting various hints as to objects of a local nature, 
many of which wen' adopted. These details being of a 
local nature are not here inserted. 

Mr. Alexander had the planning and constructing o( 
the live stacks of spacious warehouses on the north side, 
situated HH) feet from the docks, to allow sufficient sp: 
for the convenience of Loading, unloading, housing, 8cc. 

with cross walls eaeh way, from the foundation up to and 

through the roof; forming four distinct compartments, with 
stone Btaircases at each gable end up to every floor, with 

nun doors at their entrances, and double iron doOTf to 

conned or separate the rooms; which gave conveniei 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 29 

and security against fire. Mr. Alexander also completed 
the spacious vaults, which were capable of receiving many 
thousand pipes of wines and spirits, as well as the tobacco- 
warehouse, which covers the space of between four and five 
acres. The whole of the premises were encircled by a high 
wall, and were completed under his direction ; and some 
years afterwards the adjoining or eastern dock of about 
seven acres was constructed, and the new warehouses were 
built by him. This dock was afterwards connected with 
the river by a cut at Bell Dock, Shadwell. # 

Mr. Alexander drew various plans and made sundry 
borings for the state of the soil within the space intended 
for the docks ; he also made an estimate of the value of 
the houses and premises intended to be purchased, and 
assisted in taking assents and dissents to the bill in ques- 
tion, and in building the warehouses for the second dock, 
and altering the building for the re venue- officers, 

Mr. Alexander continued as surveyor to the Dock Com- 
pany from 1794 to 1831, a period of thirty-seven years, 
when he resigned a situation which he had filled with 
zeal and ability. 

The Company were also very much indebted to the zea- 
lous and active exertions of George Robinson, Esq., their 
first Secretary, who died in their service in 1827, for as- 
sisting to obtain the different Acts of Parliament ; and for 
his general disinterested and judicious attention to their 
affairs, they voted him a handsome gratuity for these ser- 
vices, which he duly merited. 



* In 1838 the London Dock Company, to create more quay room and 
greater convenience, carried out a jetty 800 feet long, at which ships may 
load v/ith greater despatch. 



30 REMARKS ON DOCKS. 

The usual measures were taken to petition Parliament 
in favour of the Docks, when the House of Commons ap- 
pointed a Committee to take into consideration all the 
plans that were proposed for the relief of the Port. During 
their progress two other tracts were written, printed, and 
circulated as follows: — 

" Reasons in favour of London Docks" was a little 
publication distributed in 1795, and reprinted in 1796 and 
1797. About 3000 of these were printed off and given 
to friends and opponents, and contributed greatly to 
remove many objections to Docks, and to their proposed 
situations. This tract will be found in the Appendix. 

The next Tract, dated 16th August, 1795, was a Letter 
written to Thomas Irving, Esq., the then Inspector-Gene- 
ral of Parliamentary Reports, by whom I had been fa- 
voured with many documentary papers respecting trade 
and shipping. In conversing with him on the importance 
of attaching the bonding system to the plan for making 
Docks, he requested me to communicate the same in 
writing; but time would not allow much care and conside- 
ration in composing a letter which was never intended for 
publication. He asked permission to communicate the 
letter to Mr. Pitt and Mr. George Rose, who were pleased 
to receive favourably the suggestions contained in it. 
Some few copies were afterwards printed in March, 1796, 
for private circulation. This letter being out o( print, has 
been reprinted. 

The bonding system had only been extended at this 

time to tea, tobacco, and rum; but when the Actfl of 

Parliament passed for making docks, the West and E 

India trade were allowed the bonding System for their re- 
spective imports, under " An Act for permitting certain 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 



31 






" Goods imported into Great Britain to be secured in 
" Warehouses without payment of Duty." — 43d George 
III. cap. 132. In the merchants' docks at Wapping, 
which had been intended for general purposes, the bonding 
system was in like manner granted for wine, brandy, rice, 
and tobacco. The charter for these docks was for twenty- 
one years. 

Upon the expiration of these charters, this bonding 
system was extended equally to all the Docks that were 
entitled to the warehousing system. This system has at 
farther times been extended to many other articles of 
trade, and by degrees has been granted to the Docks of 
most of the leading outports. The advantages derived 
from it were great to the merchants, commerce, and re- 
venue. It gave the merchants the command of capital in 
their commercial concerns; it encouraged making England 
a depot for the exportation of its commerce to foreign 
parts without the payment or the drawback of duties, and 
left the payment of duties to be made at the moment of 
home consumption. It prevented much smuggling and 
illicit trade, and was a great saving to Government in the 
expenses of watching goods until landed, and in the ex- 
penses of collecting the revenue. The Docks also pre- 
vented much plunder and pilfering. 

The Examination of William Vaughan, Esq., before the 
Committee of the House of Commons, dated 22d April 
1796, was the next Tract, and will be found in the Ap- 
pendix, of which the following are some of the general 
outlines. He produced a plan of a survey of the River 
Thames, made at his own expense by Capt. A. M. Shields, 
with the soundings of the river, and the position and num- 
ber of the mooring-chains, from London Bridge to Bugsby's 



32 REMARKS ON DOCKS. 

Hole; and also plans of the several sections and soundings 
across the river at different parts by Capt. Shields. The 
plan was drawn to a scale of 40 yards to an inch, and 
extended to 18 feet in length. When presented to the 
Committee of the House of Commons it could not be re- 
ceived in evidence, from its being private property and 
from other causes ; but it was permitted to remain there 
and to be referred to in the examination of Capt. Shields 
and Mr. Vaughan. These plans and sections, and also a 
printed copy of the first plan submitted to Parliament, 
as executed by Mr. Alexander, were afterwards pre- 
sented to the London Dock Company, and are now 
hung up at the Committee-room at the London Dock for 
inspection. 

As there were so many schemes for Docks, and other 
plans afloat for the improvement of the Port, and m 
proposed than the immediate commerce of the Port re- 
quired, it was deemed expedient to see how much of the 
trade of the Port could necessarily lie and discharge in the 
river; leaving British and foreign ships from foreign parts, 
that were valuable on account of their cargoes and re- 
venue, to resort to Docks at discretion. 

Sir William Young, Bart., the Chairman of this Com- 
mittee of the House of Commons, wishing to have some 
information as to thr powers and capacity o( the n\er for 
the reception, laying, Loading, and unloading >lnps, re- 
quested to have answers to some queries vn these and 
other subjects, which will he found in the Evidence printed 
in this collection, in the Appendix. 

lli^ Majesty George the Third having intimated a wish 
to sec the different plans for tin- London Docks, they * 

-hi to him will) the Tracts that had been printed and 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 33 

other papers ; and his Majesty was pleased to return the 
plans with expressions of great satisfaction. 

In the year 1794 many of these Dock Tracts that had 
been then printed were collected and bound together for 
private circulation ; since which two other Tracts were 
printed, viz. Answers to Objections against the London 
Docks, written in 1796, and a Comparative Statement 
between the London and the West India Docks, written 
in 1799. These two pamphlets contain many observations 
upon commerce, and are now added to complete this 
collection of Tracts on Docks, Trade, and the Bonding 
System. 

In consequence of the long and great discussions, for 
four sessions in Parliament, on the formation of the Lon- 
don Docks at Wapping, and the many competitions that 
sprung up in all quarters, and a fear that the West-India 
trade would not be early provided for, Robert Milligan, 
George Hibbert, Esqrs., and a respectable number of 
merchants, planters, and others advocated the forma- 
tion of Wet Docks in the Isle of Dogs, and in con- 
junction with the interests of the City of London they 
procured an Act of Parliament for making two Docks 
exclusively for the West-India trade, with wharfs and 
warehouses ; one for the import and the other for the 
export trade, with an entrance basin at Blackwall, and 
another at Limehouse-hole. The Act for these Docks was 
for twenty-one years, and after the expiration of the 
charter, the West-India trade was laid open, and at liberty 
to go to any other docks in the Port of London. The Act 
passed in 1799, and the first stone was laid on the 12th of 

D 



34 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 



July, 1800, and opened for the reception of shipping on 
September 1, 1802. 

George Hibbert, Esq., was the first Chairman, and 
Robert Milligan, Esq., Deputy Chairman, and were the 
great promoters of these Docks ; and upon the death of 
the latter in May, 1809, the proprietors, much to his 
honour, were pleased, for his active services, to erect a 
statue to his memory with the following inscription: — 

To perpetuate on this spot 

the Memory of 

ROBERT MILLIGAN, Esq., 

a Merchant of London, 

To whose genius, perseverance, and guardian care, 

the surrounding great work principally owes 

its design, accomplishment, and regulations, 

THE DIRECTORS AND PROPRIETORS, 

Deprived by his death, 

On the 21st May, 1809, 

of the continuance of his invaluable services, 

by their unanimous vote 

caused this statue to be erected. 

The statue was erected by Mr. Westmacott in 1813. 
The above inscription is on a bronze tablet at the back of 
the pedestal of the statue; the plate was originally placed 
in the front. 

My friend George Hibbert, Esq. who was one of the 
principal West-India Merchants of London, chairman of 
that body, and for many years the able and zealous agent 
lor the island of .Jamaica, and for a short time in parlia- 
ment, died on the 31st. October, 1837, respected and re- 



REMARKS ON DOCKS. 35 

gretted by all who knew him. In public, he was an able 
and judicious advocate, and in private, a warm and kind 
friend. He was a liberal patron of the arts and sciences, 
and for many years President of the London Institution. 

The Act for the formation of a canal across the Isle of 
Dogs, to avoid the circumnavigation of the river by Green- 
wich, passed in 1800, and was under the management of 
the City of London. This canal was afterwards purchased 
by the West-India Dock Company, and, with additions, 
now forms a part of their docks. 

The Act for the Merchants' Docks at Wapping, origi- 
nally intended for general purposes, without exclusion or 
monopoly, did not pass till the beginning of the next ses- 
sions in 1800, without the cut from Black wall as at first 
proposed. It was begun in June, 1802, and was opened 
for the reception of shipping in January, 1805. Under 
the Warehousing Act, passed afterwards, tobacco, brandy, 
and rice were allowed to be bonded there. 

The Act for the East-India Docks and for bonding teas, 
&c. (for the trade of India) passed in 1803, and the Docks 
opened in 1806, and my friend, John Woolmore, Esq., 
the first promoter, was elected chairman. 

The East-India Company, since the alteration in their 
charter, have sold some of their valuable warehouses in 
the city, which has caused great alterations as to the 
system of management of the other docks. The West- 
India Dock Company have purchased the East-India 
warehouse in Fenchurch-street, and the St. Katharine 
Dock Company those in Cutler-street. The East and 
West India Dock Companies have lately united their 
interests, 

I was on board the ships that first entered all these 

d2 



36 TIDES. 

docks and the City Canal, as well as the St. Katharine's 
at a later period. 

The Act for the Commercial Dock, on the Surrey side 
of the river, for timber, oil, corn, &c. passed in the year 
1810, and the docks were opened in 1813. 

St. Katharine's. — In the year 1825 an Act passed for 
making docks at this place for the convenience of the 
Baltic and other trades. These docks owed their origin 
more to the combination and competition of particular 
interests than to the increase of trade and commerce of 
the Port of London. They extend over a plot of ground 
which had been surveyed by the London Dock Company, 
but was never further pursued on account of its possessing 
so small an area for water compared with the great num- 
ber of houses upon it, and part of them upon a rising 
ground. These docks were commenced on the 3d of May, 
1827, and opened on the 25th October, 1828. Thomas 
Tooke, Esq. was the first chairman. The dock is divided 
into two parts, with only one entrance and basin. 



TIDES. 

In August, 1800, Mr. Yaughan directed the height of 
the tides to be taken at the gates of the London-Dock, 
and to be regularly registered under the superintend* 
of Mr. Pearce, an intelligent foreman, who had been in 

the employ of Mr. Alexander at the pin-head, and to be 
kept as at. Liverpool. Tin* Direetors of the London Dock 

Company were pleased to permit John W. Lubbock, Esq. 

F.R.S. who was making some valuable observations OD 

tides generally, to make use pf these tables, which. wi 



TIDES. 37 

afterwards printed in his interesting and important Obser- 
vations on Tides, published in the Philosophical Transac- 
tions, from the years 1831 to 1837. There are other 
valuable communications in these Transactions made by 
Professor Whewell, of Cambridge, from the year 1834 to 
1838, which contained many interesting observations made 
at 500 stations of the Coast Guard in Great Britain and 
Ireland, and 100 stations in America, Spain, Portugal, 
France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Norway, under 
the direction of the Lords of the Admiralty. 

I cannot more happily state the merits and services of 
these two scientific gentlemen on the subject of tides, than 
by referring to an extract from His Royal Highness the 
Duke of Sussex's Address, (which will be found in the 
Miscellaneous Part, No. 7,) and I hope that their re- 
searches in developing the great laws of nature will pro- 
mote the cause of science and benefit commerce. 

Mr. Vaughan frequently attended Captain Shields while 
he was making the survey of the river and the position of 
the mooring-chains, and making observations on the tides. 
Mr. Vaughan himself ascertaining the number of ships 
that could moor, at high water, between London-bridge 
and Bugsby's Hole, calculated on the average of various 
surveys made by him. In the year 1796, a table was also 
made of the regular rising of the tide from low water to 
high water mark on the south side of the river, Captain 
Shield marking the staff every three inches, while Mr. 
Vaughan kept the time for every ten or fifteen minutes on 
a calm and quiet day ; these observations were not how- 
ever repeated, but it was observed, that by drawing a line 
from the point of time to the point of the height of the 
tide it always produced a curved line. 



38 TIDES. 

With respect to the tide of the Thames, it may be stated 
that there are occasional fluctuations, owing to the state 
of the winds when the sea of the German Ocean is driven 
into the mouth of the Thames, instead of through the 
Straits of Dover ; which I conceive will account, together 
with freshes from up the country, for some of the very 
high tides in the upper part of the river and at the dock- 
gates, and which occasioned the tides to flow about twenty 
feet and upwards. I requested Mr. Pearce to state the 
periods when they were at and above twenty feet. The 
water overflowed the banks at the stairs off Wapping, and 
at one of these periods I went down there and found in 
the street that I walked through the water half-leg deep, 
and the people were bailing the water out of their cellars,* 
and I am not incorrect in stating, that many years ago the 
tide flowed into Old Palace-yard and into Westminster- 
hall. 

It may here be remarked, that the Thames, in regard 
to its tides as well as the draft of water at London, is by 



* The site of St. John's, Wapping, and parts adjacent were anciently 
within the influx of the river, and was supposed to have been first em- 
banked in 1544, — " By frequent inundations of the river Thames its 
" banks in these parts became sufferers ; for about the year 1565 d 
" breaches were made therein, which were no Booner repaired, than 
" another happened in 1571, which the Commissioners of Sewers, after 
" viewing the same, nere of opinion that the DQOSl effectual way to secure 
" the hank of the river in these parts, would he to eivet hottStS tin reon, 

4< to which end ground was taken, and the first foundation oi the house 
" laid, where Wapping al present is situate."— MaitlaruVs h 

u Londottf book viii. p. 768. 

Sec Plan of the London-Dock in the Appendix, p, 2, printed in 



TIDES. 



39 



nature most happily adapted to the receipt of shipping in 
the stream, and the passing them afloat into docks. 

The tide flowing gently from the Nore to Teddington, to 
an average of eighteen feet at the London-Dock on spring 
tides in a calm and gentle rise, not very much affected by 
winds, or storms, or freshes, by strong currents or by silt 
or mud banks : all of which, more or less, together with 
ungovernable heights of tide, are sometimes severely felt 
at Liverpool, Bristol, and Hull, and give the superiority 
to London in this respect. 

This, with other properties, forms so fine a port at 
London in the very heart of the kingdom. 

I requested Mr. Pearce to make out a copy of the tide 
tables kept at the Wapping dock for my own use, which 
he did till near the time of his death. Captain Maughan, 
the present dock-master, who succeeded Mr. Pearce, is an 
intelligent person, now continues them, and is attentive to 
the causes and operations of tides, and to the usual tables 
of them ; and he has introduced the use of the barometer, 
which is also employed at Liverpool. He conceives that 
the plan of the river, as surveyed by Captain Shields, 
is a very valuable one, and a record of the tides forty 
years ago. 

I did not expect that the tide tables kept at the London 
Docks would ever have appeared in the Transactions of the 
Royal Society ; though I feel honoured at my name being 
referred to as having suggested the keeping of these tables 
in London, in the same manner as at Liverpool. 

In the Examination of Mr. Vaughan before the com- 
mittee of the House of Commons, will be found a plate of 
the section of the river and of the docks, made by him, 
and marked W. V. shewing the state of the tides at high 



40 RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 

and low water-mark, and at neap and spring tides respect- 
ively, and also the rise and fall of the tide for each day. 

Little accidents often lead to interesting, if not important 
consequences. The making of Docks had produced much 
attention at home and abroad ; and my friend Matthew 
Boulton, Esq. of Soho, wishing to view them with some 
friends, I accompanied them. The Rev. James Smirnove, 
Chaplain to the Russian Embassy, was one of the party. 
They afterwards dined with me, and on my expressing a 
wish to increase my collection of maps and plans of rivers, 
canals and docks, both at home and abroad, Mr. Smirnove 
was kind enough to say that he would procure those of 
Russia for me. 

In December, 1802, I received a letter from Mr. 
Smirnove, informing me that he had made an application 
to Vice-Admiral Mordinoff, who laid it before his Imperial 
Majesty Alexander I. who was pleased to direct a hydro- 
graphical plan of all the Russias, the rivers, and the canals, 
made and making, and the docks at Cronstadt, to be - 
to me, for which T returned my grateful acknowledgments 
through Mr. Smirnove, sending at the same time various 
plans of the docks then under formation in London, with 
hints on commerce, free trade, aird the bonding system, to 
be presented to his Imperial Majesty : and on the 80th 
October, 1808, I received a letter from Vice-Admiral 
ChiohagofS acknowledging my letter and the plans; and 
further stating, that his Imperial Majesty had been ura- 
eiouslv pleased to solid me a valuable diamond ring, for 
which I returned suitable acknowledgments. Copies o( 

tins correspondence will be found m the Miscellaneous Tart, 
No. H. 

Colonel \\ avail, an engineer of merit in the RjIBS 



RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 41 

service, had been employed to make observations on the 
progress of the London Docks; and on his going to 
Petersburg to be married, he took with him a model I had 
given him of the railways and waggons used in those 
works, which he exhibited in a lecture before his Imperial 
Majesty. 

While in England, he had taken up his abode next door 
to a public-house in Tower Street, that had been fre- 
quented by Peter the Great, for refreshment, upon his 
returns from working in the King's yards at Deptford, well 
known by the name of the 

" CZAR'S HEAD." 

This sign had originally projected into the street, at the 
time when signs were thus hung up. Colonel Waxall 
purchased it, giving another in exchange for it, which now 
remains fixed against the house. Wishing to send this 
sign of the Czar to be deposited m some public archives at 
St. Petersburg, he requested of me a certificate of its 
origin ; which I gave, having found upon enquiry, that the 
then landlord or his family had purchased the good-will of 
the house from the person who put it up, or of the family 
to whom it originally belonged. On Colonel WaxalPs 
return to England he brought with him a medal that had 
been given to him by his Excellency Count Romanzoff 
after reading his lecture before his Imperial Majesty • and 
at the same time he requested permission to present it to 
me, having rendered him, as he stated, some services. 
The medal was accepted at the moment, but it was after- 
wards returned, stating that all the different rings, and 
this medal which he had received from his Imperial 



42 shipping, 1793. 

Majesty ought to be kept as heir-looms in his family; and 
as ladies are the best guardians of their husbands' honours, 
I requested the medal might be presented to his lady to 
keep. 

LONDON AS IT WAS IN 1793. 

Before the making of docks, the accommodation of its 
trade was confined, for the loading and unloading of ships 
with the aid of lighters, to the legal quays between London 
Bridge and the Tower, only about 1460 feet in length, and 
to sufferance wharfs on both sides the river. The accom- 
modation for the shipping was confined to the space between 
London Bridge and Limehouse Hole. 

The number of vessels entered inwards in 1793 were — 

Colliers 3,500 

Coasters 6,473 



9,973 

( British 2,574 

From foreign parts ^ ^^ ^ 

3,767 



Total.... 13,740 



Perhaps the best contrast that could bo niado for London 
as it was in 1793 is to compare it with London, with all its 
docks and improvements, m 1 836 Of l s; >7, a-w ill hv i'ound 
in the next part. 



METROPOLIS 

AND 

THE PORT OF LONDON, 

AS IT WAS IN THE YEAR 1836, 

INCLUDING 

ALL THE DOCKS, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. 



Within the last forty years the metropolis, including the 
port of London, has undergone a wonderful alteration and 
increase in extent, population, and commercial accom- 
modation. 

It may be stated that the metropolis is the seat of a 
great empire of legislation and justice, and also of industry, 
commerce, and revenue-; and forms, as it were from its 
extent and numbers, a little government within itself, with 
such laws and regulations as are best adapted to promote 
its interest and welfare. Its inhabitants are generally sub- 
servient to laws and regulations, the minor courts of justice 
deciding quarrels and disputes, with the aid of a well- 
regulated police. 



44 METROPOLIS AM) THE 

If strangers are struck with the size and grandeur of the 
metropolis and its great improvements in the last thirty or 
forty years, with its parks, gardens, public and private 
edifices, its churches, public hospitals, charities, and insti- 
tutions for knowledge, science and arts, with its bridges, 
docks, tunnel and railways, they ought also to admire, 
with equal justice, objects that promote their cleanliness, 
health, comfort and happiness; with markets well supplied; 
plenty of water ; its gas-lights affording beautiful illumi- 
nations ; its steam-boats ; its insurance offices and fire- 
engines, its commodious pavements and itsbarelled sew 
all of which tend to increase our comforts and security. 
There is no city better supplied with water or better 
drained. 

If the maps of London at the time of Queen Elizabeth 
in 1560, and that by Roque, in 1769, be compared with 
those of the present period, there will be found to have 
been a very great increase in the size of it; particularly if 
we include the improvements and additions of recent 
times; such as Regent Street and Park; the Strand; 
Trafalgar Square ; Pall-mall; Belgrave Square : Waterloo, 
Southwark, and London Bridges ; the cluster of the docks, 
with all their buildings in the east, and other improvements 
in Middlesex, Westminster, and Southwark. A tolerable 
idea might be formed of the extent and number of hoi 
requisite for a population of 1,500,000 inhabitants, allowing 
about six persons to a house 

The villages, for miles round London, are gradually 
becoming united to it, and the avenues to the capital 
arc -parlous and ornamental. 

Then- are leu cities where there are so many benevolent 



PORT OF LONDON. 45 

and charitable institutions for the comfort and assistance of 
infancy and old age, and of infirm and sick persons. # 

Contrasting the trade of London in the year 1793 with 
that of 1836, without entering into many details, it may 
be briefly remarked, that London has increased in extent, 
population, commerce, wealth and power beyond general 
conception. But wishing to confine points respecting 
London to trade and its accommodation, it may be briefly 
stated, that according to accurate documents there were 
entered for the year 

1836 Colliers 8,162. 

Coasters (including steam-vessels). . . . 12,603 
British ships engaged in Foreign trade 3,845 
Foreign ships 1,465 



26,075 



* Since writing the above I avail myself with pleasure of an article in 
the John Bull, of the 5th of March, 1837, as taken from Frazer's 
Magazine for that month, to which I refer. 
Hospitals, dispensaries, infirmaries, and other medical or surgical 

charities 78 

Institutions and schools for the instruction of orphans and other 
necessitous children (exclusive of parochial, charity, and 

infant schools) ■; + , 

Pensionary, annuitant, loan and other societies 63 

Philanthropic societies, asylums, and schools of reform 10 

Miscellaneous societies for the relief of the distressed 29 

Religious societies and schools _ # 46 



Educational foundations and school societies 



18 



Making an aggregate of 288 

Benevolent institutions, some of which are unequalled in the world for 



46 METROPOLIS AND THE 

That the importation of coal into London was for 
the years 



1825 


Colliers 6,564 


Tons of coal 


I 1,856,606 


1826 


)7 


6,810 


» 


2,040,291 


1827 


» 


6,491 


» 


1,882,321 


1828 


>f 


6,750 


tt 


1,960,559 


1829 


>f 


6,992 


» 


2,018,975 


1830 


yy 


7,108 


» 


2,079,275 


1831 


» 


7,006 


ft 


2,045,292 


1832 


» 


7,528 


>y 


2,139,078 


1833 


» 


7,077 


» 


2,010,409 


1834 


>y 


7,404 


>> 


2,078,685 


1835 


» 


7,958 


>j 


2,298,812 


1836 


>j 


8,162 


>> 


2,398,352 



Bein°" a very great increase over the importation of coals 
into London in 1793. 

This great increased consumption proceeds from the 
increase of population, the number of manufactories, 
distilleries, breweries, private and public works using 
steam-engines, and particularly the supply of steam-boats 
plying from London to Margate, &c. and outward- 
bound. 

extent, and the munificence of their provisions; which statement may be 
coupled with the feet, that for the support of education, Bible and 1 
societies, no less a sum than £552,376 18s. 2d. (the actual recript for the 
years 1835 and 1836) is annually Subscribed m the United kingdom. 



PORT OF LONDON. 



47 



A Statement of the number of Vessels entered inwards 
and cleared outwards at the Port of London, for the 
years 1793, 1835, and 1836. 



1793 Inwards. 

Vessels. Tonnage. 
Colliers.... 3,500 700,000 
Coasters .. 6,473 496,760 



9,973 1,196,760 



From all other parts : 

British.... 2,574 498,651 
Foreign.... 1,193 177,019 



3,767 675,670 



1835 

Colliers.... 7,958 

Coasters .. 12,513 

(including steam- 
vessels.) 



20,471 2,764,982 



From all other parts : 

British.... 3,780 740,256 
Foreign.... 1,057 188,983 



Outwards. 

Vessels. Tonnage. 



2,884 130,910 
1,092 197,491 



4,837 929,148 3,976 828,401 



48 METROPOLIS AND THE 

1836 

Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. 

Colliers.... 8,162 1,650,177 
Coasters.. 12,730 1,160,701 



20,892 2,810,878 11,167 1,115,857 



From all other parts : 

British.... 3,845 772,046 2,964 662,445 

Foreign.... 1,465 255,875 1,444 257,120 



5,310 1,027,921 4,408 919,565 



POPULATION OF THE METROPOLIS. 

1811 Males 457,281 

Females 652,265 

1,009,546 

1821 Males 570,236 

Females 655,458 

1,274,800 

1831 Males 683,059 

Females 788,882 

1,471,941 



PORT OF LONDON. 49 

London may be compared to a great hive, where the 
drones are as busily employed in trifling life away, as the 
industrious bees are in collecting honey for their winter 
store ; and the busy throng from morn to night, and night 
to morn, are ever on the wing. There is no city where 
there are so many spectacles, exhibitions, plays, museums, 
gardens, and lectures as in London, to occupy the time of 
the wealthy, the learned, and the gay. It has been stated 
that thirty or forty years ago there were about 200,000 
persons passing and repassing London, Westminster, and 
Blackfriars Bridges in a day ; but what must the floating 
circulation of a dense population of so great a city as at 
present, where perhaps there may be above 400,000 
persons moving daily by land and water : as an example, 
I recollect in the summer either of 1836 or 1837, in 
walking from Gower Street along the New Road to the 
Bank, I met about thirty omnibuses, and I was overtaken 
by about twenty going to the Bank. 

It is stated in the Morning Post of 2d October, 1837, 
that within the limits of the three-penny post there are 
850 short stages. 

In 1826 there were 1,150 hackney coaches and cabriolets. 
1828 „ 1,200 

1830 „ 1,265 

The number at present licensed is 1797. 

It may be further stated, that above forty steam-vessels 
a week clear out to all parts beyond the Thames, or about 
2,500 steam vessels per annum, which clear out from the 
Port of London, exclusive of those that go daily from 



50 METROPOLIS. 

Gravesend and Margate, which go many hours in the day, 
as well as those that ply from London to Westminster 
Bridge every quarter of an hour in the day. 

It has been estimated that about 400,000 persons in a 
year go from London by steam-boats to Margate and 
places adjacent. 



i 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 



It is not intended, in a little tract of this nature, to enter 
into speculative discussions, but, perhaps, when some 
other objects are intimately connected with the state of 
society and our prosperity, to allude to them as points 
that have contributed to make many changes in the state 
of England, may not be uninteresting. 

England, for its extent, may be considered one of the 
most interesting and important countries in the world as 
to population, wealth, agriculture, commerce, and manu- 
factures. Its territory may be divided into tillage, pas- 
turage, woods, forests, with many navigable rivers. Its 
tillage affords wheat for men, oats for horses, and barley for 
beer and spirits. It possesses coal, iron, copper, lead, and 
other mines, and produces wool and timber, and has exten- 
sive fisheries. About 961,134 families were employed in 
Great Britain in agricultural pursuits in 1831. Manu- 
factures, trade, and commerce with other avocations employ 
the rest. 

Since 1763 its tillage and pasturage have increased by 
enclosures, improvements, and cultivation. Roads, canals, 
and railways have favoured the above objects, and stran- 
gers greatly admire the fertility, verdure, enclosures, and 
woods in this country. 

e2 



52 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 



The population of England may be divided into two 
classes, the rich and the poor; which, like the oak growing 
with its growth and strengthening with its strength, are 
the support of each other, and the wealth of the one and 
the labour of the other not only contribute to the union 
and happiness of both, but give vigour and power to this 
favoured land we live in ; and it may truly be called Britain 
the Great. 

There are few countries like ours as to population, civi- 
lization, education, industry, morals, justice, and com- 
merce, with such laws for the protection of person and 
property, and the administration of justice and good 
order. 

It may not be uninteresting in this place to give a state- 
ment of the population of England, Wales, and Scotland, 
taken from Parliamentary Reports for the years 1811, 
1821, and 1831. 



1811 





ENGLAND. 


WALLS. 


SCOTLAND. 


Males 


4,575,763 


291,633 


826,191 


Females . . . 


4,963,064 


320,155 


979,497 



9,538,827 611,788 1,815, 



1821. 

Males 5,483,679 350,485 983,568 

Females... 5,777,758 366,951 1,109,904 



11,261,437 717,438 2,093,456 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 
1831. 

Males 6,376,627 394,543 1,114,816 

Females... 6,714,378 411,619 1,250,298 



53 



13,091,005 806,182 2,365,114 



The population of England has much increased within 
the last sixty or seventy years ; but little can be relied 
upon beyond the Population Returns of 1811, 1821, and 
1831. 

Agriculture has in like manner much increased, nearly 
keeping pace with the increase of population ; and it will 
appear that tillage and pasture, under the many inclosure 
acts passed during the last fifty years, and an improved 
system of the rotation of crops with the aid of potatoes 
now to be found all over the country, and other improve- 
ments in agriculture, have made a most rapid progress, 
and have brought an immense extent of country into cul- 
tivation for the food of man and beast. 

It appears from tables taken from authorities of an 
early date that the state of production of corn in England 
was as follows :— 



Davenant, Smith's Corn Tracts, 
1700. 1765. 

Wheat Qrs. 1,750,000 4,046,603 

Barley 3,375,000 4,603,272 

Oats 2,000,000 4,240,947 

Rye 1,250,000 1,063,652 



8,375,000 13,954,474 



54 COMMERCE \M) ENGLAND. 

It is not intended in this summary statement to give a 
detail of the present state of grain of all kinds ; this is 
left to those who better understand the subject. Suffice it 
to state generally, that I conceive that in years of plenty, 
Great Britain may be said nearly to maintain itself from 
its own means, and that foreign corn is not permitted to 
be imported but under certain regulations, and subject to 
its paying a duty on its importation for home consump- 
tion! 

It has been sometimes stated, that bullion goes out of 
the country to pay for the importation of foreign corn ; 
but it will, I believe, be found that the exportation of 
bullion and its reimportation depend more on the state of 
the exchanges in our commercial proceedings than on our 
importation of corn ; and that the corn imported into this 
country forms a part of the payment for the manufactures 
exported. 

It may be further stated, that in general the climate of 
England is temperate, the people healthy and industrious 
and much attached to their country. There are tew 
countries where there is so much medical aid and assis- 
tance for the rich and the poor, and where, in general, 
the people remain stationary as to health and longevity fbt 
many years without much alteration. 

It was a saying of King James or Charles that there 
were more working hours in the day, and days in the yea* 
in England than elsewhere, which maybe partly owing to 
their being fewer saints' days, fast-days, and holidays. 

In the register of the population for the years 1S11, 
IS'Jl, and hS31 will be found the number of males and 
females, marriages, births, and burials, and also a state- 
ment of then ages, which will confirm the above represent 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 55 

tations ; and from the attention that has been paid to the 
keeping of the register by various insurance companies, great 
public benefit has been derived by ascertaining ages and 
aiding medical men with respect to health and the cure of 
their patients. Longevity is also to be found in every class 
of society. There are above forty life insurance companies 
established in London, under various plans and modifica- 
tions, but all tend to the great point of establishing the 
state of health and the duration of life. 

There are few countries that have so many natural and 
acquired advantages as this. Our mines, fisheries, and 
natural productions are our great sources of wealth. We 
are ourselves the great consumers of those productions, 
and likewise the great consumers of our imports, and by 
the means of our industry and commerce have the greatest 
intercourse with every quarter of the globe, partly owing 
to our geographical position and vicinity to the continental 
ports of Europe. It is amongst our many advantages that 
England pays great attention to the giving an early educa- 
tion, by parochial, national, and other schools and insti- 
tutions, to her people, with moral and religious habits, 
and we owe much of our prosperity and happiness in life 
to the early impressions we imbibe from our parents in 
infant years. 

It may be also stated, that in this country, as in others, 
great respect is paid to the rites of marriage, baptism, and 
burial, and that when these are combined with the bless- 
ings of an early education, with habits of order and disci- 
pline, they greatly improve the civilization and moral and 
religious impressions of the people. 

The English are much attached to their country, and 
are great lovers of justice and good faith, and are liberal 



56 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

in promoting works of public utility. There are few 
countries where there are so many monumental records of 
public and private virtue as in England, which serve as 
examples to the rising generation ; and the nation has 
frequently shown respect to the memory of those who have 
deserved well of their country, by public funerals or public 
monuments. 

I was lately at Windsor-Castle, which I conceive to be 
the finest building of its kind for grandeur of style, anti- 
quity, and preservation, in this country; and amongst some 
of the most interesting of its objects may be reckoned St. 
George's Chapel, the Waterloo Gallery, and the Gallery 
of Ancient Armour, which has been fitted up with peculiar 
taste and chasteness. 

In the armory were seen the banners of Marlborough, 
Nelson, and Wellington. 

Nelson, our great naval commander, was buried with 
national honours, and it is hoped, that when cur great 
military hero shall have terminated his mortal career, he 
will be buried with equal respect, and that Fame will 
inscribe the name of Wellington on her tablet as one — 

" Who loved his country 

Ami who wished it well." 

Literature and the arts and sciences are also much en- 
couraged in this country, and may be happily exemplified 
by (he British Museum, whose collections of Egyptian, 
Grecian, and Roman sculpture remain unrivalled. Its 
library is extensive, and bas lately been enriched by the 
valuable collection of George the Third, which was pre- 
sented t*> the nation by George the Fourth, 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 57 

The Parliament have recently voted liberal sums for en- 
larging the building of the Museum, which will, when 
completed, form a splendid national establishment. 

Though we have not so large a building or collection of 
pictures and statues in the National Gallery as the Louvre 
at Paris, yet they are annually increasing, and this country 
happily possesses within itself a great collection of the first 
masters, and the British Institution is annually furnished for 
exhibition from the private collections of the nobility and 
gentry with pictures of ancient masters for exhibition to 
the public; and we have had for many years an annual 
exhibition at the Royal Academy of painting and sculp- 
ture, by living artists, which does them great honour, and 
reflects much credit on the Society of Arts for having been 
the original promoters of the Royal Academy. 

The annual exhibition of paintings in water colours is 
improving every year • and the National Gallery, though 
at present in its infancy, possesses some admirable pictures 
of the highest order. 

Whilst we are looking at foreign schools of art, England 
should endeavour to form a school of her own, founded 
upon the laws of Nature, which are simple, grand, and 
beautiful. 

The British Association may also be mentioned as 
another instance of the improvement of the times. It is 
extending its influence, to the great benefit of the com- 
munity. 

In machinery and mechanics, both on a great and on a 
small scale, we are unrivalled. 

There are few countries that possess so much valuable 
statistical knowledge as Great Britain, from her parliamen- 
tary and other reports and publications on the state of 



58 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and science, both 
theoretical and practical, from which this country has 
derived the greatest advantages. A further reference may 
be made to Campbell's Political Survey of Great Britain, 
published in 1774, which contains an important statistical 
account of different parts of Great Britain at that period. 
Reference may be also made to Davenant, Adam Smith, 
Colquhoun, Tooke, M'Cullock, M'Queen, and other able 
writers on political economy. 

Without touching upon the system of poor laws, which 
forms one of the most important and intricate concerns in 
the whole scale of political economy, and which is now 
under a great public experiment, it may be stated that the 
introduction of small allotments of land, let out at an easy 
rent to the industrious and labouring class of society, has 
afforded great aid and relief to those that would have been 
much distressed if it had not been for such resources ; and 
no less than 75,000 families have adopted this plan with a 
prospect of a great increase as stated by " The Labourers' 
" Friend." This system, with the aid of Savings' Banks, 
will, it is hoped, promote industry, and increase the com- 
forts and improve the morals of society. 

When our commerce was in its infancy it might have 
stood in need of prohibitions, bounties, props, and fences ; 
but it has taken so deep a root in our soil that it promotes 
agriculture and manufactures, and we can bear a storm 
without much apprehension, and may lessen many of 
our restrictions and prohibitions without injury. We owe 
much of our power to agriculture, manufactures, industry, 
and commerce. 

This is not an opinion of a day, but was expressed in a 
letter written by me to Whittled keene, Esq., M.P., who, 



COMMERCE A1SD ENGLAND. 59 

as one of the Committee, favoured the formation of Docks 
in London in the year 1796, and of which the following is 
a copy : — 

London, 17 th April, 1796. 
Whitshed Keene , Esq., M.P., Sfc. Sfc. Sfc. 
Sir, 

Permit me to request your acceptance of three little 
pieces respecting questions of great public utility, that 
were drawn up without much time for arrangement or cor- 
rection. 

The Letter to a Friend embraces objects of great moment 
beyond the simple Port accommodations of Docks, and 
were detached hints suddenly thrown together at his re- 
quest, who wished them committed to writing without 
delay. The letter has so many marks of haste about it 
that I now almost repent its having made its appearance 
in its crude state ; but I hope objects and intentions will 
apologize for its imperfections. 

With respect to the question you asked yesterday, as to 
the extent of our commerce, and what proportion of our 
exports were the effects of a depot, I beg to say that our 
commerce is of a peculiar nature, and that our great lines 
of imports lie in a few leading articles and the products of 
a few countries. We are the great importers and the great 
consumers of those imports, such as tea, wine, sugar, &c. , 
and of those imported, such as require the hand of in- 
dustry to bring them into circulation. We are also our 
own great customers. While we are looking with wonder 
at the great increase of our foreign trade, I look with 
greater astonishment at the extent of our home consump- 
tion, which makes me almost incline to doubt on many 



60 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

of the generally received opinions about commerce ; and 
that we must possess peculiar natural advantages to be 
able, with so few native products in return, to command 
such a commerce as we do, both as to our imports for 
consumption and our exports. I conceive that the great 
blessing which preponderates in our favour are our coals, 
iron, lead, tin, and copper, our industry, and the great 
security to property. 

Of our foreign trade, our exports consist of a mixed 
assortment, and may be divided into three parts. The 
first, consisting of foreign produce in the same state as 
imported ; and when we are merely the depot, waiting for 
the advantages or competitions in markets, with all accu- 
mulated benefits of freights and charges that attach them- 
selves to the import and re-export of such articles as 
tobacco, rice, and India goods. 

The second, foreign products that undergo manufac- 
turing. To these we attach a portion of the labour and 
industry of this country, which forms no small part of our 
capital, and which enables us to import and consume to 
the extent that we do. To ascertain the value and extent 
of our trade has been and will always be an imperfect 
thing ; and we must only j udge of it by its influence and 
effects, and in proportion as we encourage commerce we 
increase wants and the means of supplying them. 

Not returning home till late last night prevented my 
sending the paper I promised sooner, and I remain, 
Sir, 
Your obedient and bumble servant, 

Wm. V\l CHAN. 

London is the metropolis Of the kingdom, and i> seated 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 61 

at the head of a fine navigable river, nearly ninety miles 
from the sea ; commanding the greatest portion of the com- 
merce of the kingdom ; and has an easy access to every 
port of England, and other parts of the world. 

Liverpool is next to London in commercial objects. It 
is situated in the middle of a great agricultural and manu- 
facturing district, and commands an extensive and in- 
creasing commerce with Ireland and America, and all 
foreign parts. 

In the article of cotton only, Liverpool now imports from 
1,200,000 to 1,400,000 bags per annum, which in a manu- 
factured state by British labour, may almost be considered 
as a domestic product ; a very large part of which is for 
home consumption. Its exportation in a manufactured 
state to America and elsewhere is considerable, and in 
the shape of twist, forms a great article of export to Ger- 
many, Russia, and Prussia. 

From the insecurity of the river Mersey, owing to the 
tides, the whole of its trade, foreign and coastwise, is 
obliged to resort to docks, to load and unload, and is sub- 
ject to the payment of dock rates. In the docks ships 
load and discharge afloat, or in half-tide docks or basins, 
open to the tide grounding in the latter at low-water. 

With respect to the commerce and shipping of London, 
it is differently circumstanced to that of Liverpool ; and 
within its port to Bugsby's Hole, it is capable of holding 
about 1,400 masted vessels at a time, including colliers 
and coasters, which must lie and discharge in the river. 
Foreign ships mostly lie at Limehouse Hole, leaving a 
portion of British and Foreign ships, valuable as to cargo, 
to resort to the docks at pleasure, which may hold 1000 
or 1200 sail at a time. 



62 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

Bristol has converted a part of the River Avon into a 
floating dock for the reception of its ships ; making a new- 
cut for the river, and thus giving rise to the remark, that 
they have an artificial river and a natural dock. 

Hull has also extensive docks for the reception of its 
trade, having converted the Military Foss, as has been 
since done at Havre de Grace, into a wet dock; thus proving 
the increasing power and influence of commerce. 

The four Rivers, the Thames, the Mersey, the Humber, 
and the Severn, connect and combine with the aid of 
roads, canals, and railways, the various manufactures with 
our Foreign trade. 

It may be interesting to state an account of the official 
value of the imports into and exports from Great Britain 
in the year 1836; distinguishing the trade with France 
and the United States of America from that with other 
parts, and without comment. 

1836. IMPORTS EXTORTS 

Into Great Britain. From Great Britain. 

France 3,1 15,452 2,338,972 

United States .... 10,918,835 15,017,625 
Other parts 41,765,396 80,861/217 



Total to all parts . . £55,799,683 £97,217,814 



To which may be also added a summary statement of 
the imports and exports to and from the United States, 
with all parts; distinguishing the proportion of the value of 
the commerce with Great Britain and France respectively, 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 63 

taken from official documents for the following years, each 
ending the 30th September. The dollar may be valued at 
4s. 6d. and the tables speak for themselves. 

YEARS. IMPORTS. EXPORTS. 

Dollars. Dollars. 

1829 74,492,527 72,358,671 

1831 103,191,124 81,310,583 

1833 108,118,311 90,140,433 

1834 126,521,332 104,346,973 

1835 149,859,742 121,693,577 

1836 189,980,035 128,663,040 

1837 140,989,217 117,419,376 

1838 112,000,000 103,136,000 

N.B. The return for 1838 not official. 

The falling off in the amount of Exports and Imports^ 
since 1836, has been occasioned by the deranged state of 
the trade and currency since the commencement of that 
year, and is now reviving. 

Of which to and from Great Britain. 

YEARS. IMPORTS. EXPORTS. 

Dollars. Dollars. 

1829 25,279,489 24,291,693 

1831 44,093,717 32,989,519 

1833 37,845,814 32,303,450 

18 34 47,242,807 44,212,097 

183 5 61,249,527 52,180,874 

1836 .... 78,645,968 57,875,213 

1837 44,886,943 54,583,570 



64 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

Of which to and from France. 

YEARS. IMPORTS. EXPORTS. 

Dollars. Dollars. 

1829 8,838,978 11,749,395 

1831 14,065,743 9,164,802 

1833 13,431,678 13,772,221 

1834 17,141,173 15,508,974 

1835 22,915,376 19,751,244 

1836 36,615,417 20,939,100 

1837 22,083,614 19,690,578 

It may be further stated, that the discovery of America 
has produced some of the greatest changes ever known in 
the history of the world. It has led to conquests and 
settlements in various parts of that great continent ; and 
England was amongst the foremost to avail herself of the 
advantages to be derived from it. Amongst other events 
in more recent times, the war in 1756" and the peace of 
1763 were productive of great and important results to 
this country. It gave tranquillity and security to the 
British colonies, and added Canada to our foreign do- 
minions, as well as many acquisitions in the East and West 
Indies. The result of this war produced an increase of our 
ships, colonies, commerce, and revenue. 

The war with America commencing in the year 1775 was 
followed by that with France ; which events were revo- 
lutionary as to government, dominions and commerce. 
The war with America ended in its Independence, in the 
year 1783; but by subsequent events, our intercourse with 
the United States has produced a still greater revolution 
by the extension of our commerce, compared with the loss 
of our colonies. 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 65 

France, jealous of our dominion at sea, and of our 
marine and commerce, aimed, with the combined fleets of 
its allies, to destroy our naval superiority. 

But the engagements of Rodney, Howe, Duncan, St. 
Vincent, Nelson, and others, destroyed their naval force, 
and left their colonies and commerce unprotected ; which 
tended to increase our commerce, and led to the improve- 
ments of the port of London. 

The Americans, after their Independence, carried on 
much of their commerce with our colonies ; which trade was 
chiefly composed of British and American manufactures, 
either on their own account, or as a neutral power to carry 
that commerce into their own ports ; or else into English 
ports, as places of security, during the war, until they 
could be dispatched, with safety, to the continental ports of 
Europe, and then to be realized or re-shipped . The English 
cruisers made many captures, and brought in many ships 
for detention and adjudication; thus raising many intricate 
points in our Admiralty Courts, respecting neutral property 
and ships. Buonaparte, wishing as much as possible to 
prevent all intercourse with English ports, attempted to 
blockade almost all the ports of Europe against the trade 
of England in every shape, in order to depress it. 

This produced a reaction, by the introducing of Orders in 
Council, neutral bottoms, and false papers, with high insu- 
rance at thirty per cent, against every risk. Many of these 
were taken or seized in port, and others arrived safe at 
their place of destination. In both cases the continent 
received supplies. 

All these changes had a tendency to infringe on, or 
break down the policy of our navigation acts, and ulti- 



66 COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 

mately to mitigate the rigor in the observance of them, 
prior to the general peace of 1815. 

In 1815 the ever memorable battle of Waterloo (when 
the Duke of Wellington with the "aid of the allies com- 
pletely defeated Buonaparte) created another great change 
in the state of things, and gave peace and tranquillity to 
Europe. Armies turned their faces homewards, seeking 
employment by agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and 
domestic objects, encouraging industry to create property 
and produce revenue. This new situation of things created 
yet still greater changes in our commercial relations and 
treaties; decreasing the system of prohibitions by a 
mutual exchange of a more liberal nature, either in the 
reduction of duties, or trading upon more liberal terms. 
The countries of Europe by a long peace have increased 
their own advantages and comforts ; and as they increase 
in population and wealth, they will also require fresh wants ; 
and in the means of supplying them, England will have 
little to fear in a great scale from rivalship, having so many 
natural and acquired advantages ; and by improving upon 
herself, she may still retain her power, influence, and 
prosperity. 

It may be further observed, that England has improved 
upon its own discoveries, and has encouraged voyages for 
the increase of knowledge and science ; and has also paid 
great attention to the civilization of other countries by the 
means of Missionaries, and the circulation of the Bible to 
all countries through the agency of religious societies of 
all denominations. Further information on this head will 
be found in the Miseellaneous Part. 

'Hie Tree of Knowledge is so deeply rooted in the soil 



COMMERCE AND ENGLAND. 67 

of this country, as to be favourable to the pursuit of the 
arts and sciences in all their branches, and to the education 
of the mind ; and the fruits of industry have given wealth, 
greatness, and power to England, and we may conclude 
by saying,— 

Happy, happy England ! Sea-girt Isle ! May she long 
remain, the living monument of her own fame, and may 
other nations follow her example ! 



f 2 



MISCELLANEOUS PART 



ON 



VARIOUS SUBJECTS. 



MISCELLANEOUS PART, 



ETC. ETC. 



No. 1. 
NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

To Mr. SewelL 

Sir, 
Your useful Magazine having engaged the public atten- 
tion to a great national object, the importance of Naval 
Architecture both to our Navy and our Commerce, I am 
encouraged, from the reception you gave a little piece on 
that subject in your Appendix to your Tracts on Naval 
Architecture, to submit the following Hints to your consi- 
deration respecting Inland Navigation, from an old Cor- 
respondent. Both objects have an intimate connection 
with each other ; and Great Britain owes much of her 
power, prosperity, and welfare, to the encouragements 
given to them. These Hints were written about two years 
ago for a particular object ; and if encouragement is 



72 HINTS AND QUERIES 

given, I hope to see a Society formed for the Improve- 
ment of Inland Navigation, similar to the one that has 
been instituted for Naval Architecture What is here sug- 
gested, may be useful to a numerous class of your readers 
who have not an opportunity of perusing larger works, 
containing in many respects similar information. You 
have already given us one proof of your readiness to invite 
communications on useful projects ; and I am persuaded 
you will be equally so, on another that may be no less useful 
to our internal interests and resources. 

London, I am, Sir, yours, 

July 1, 1792. A. B. 



HINTS AND QUERIES ON INLAND NAVIGATION 
AND CANALS. 

A pamphlet, entitled " The History of Inland Naviga- 
" tion in England," published some years, having been 
long out of print, and it being proposed to re-publish the 
same with improvements, and to continue it to the present 
time, the following Hints and Queries are submitted for 
consideration : — 

The Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, begun in 1759, oc- 
casioned many similar projects; and so great has been the 
spirit excited, that the Legislature have passed no I 
than thirty-eight Acts of Parliament for the making or 
perfecting of Canals, or tor improving the Inland Naviga- 
tion of this country. Many of these undertakings are 
finished ; some have tailed, and others are at this moment 

carrying into execution. A complete history of them, 
Btating their particular objects, their extent, and their 



ON INLAND NAVIGATION AND CANALS. 73 

effects, cannot but be interesting to the public, who have 
been so much benefited by them. 

There have been, perhaps, few objects of internal policy 
that have so much called forth the powers and resources of 
the country as Inland Navigation. Rivers and Canals 
are to a country, what arteries are to the human body. 
They aid agriculture and manufactures, and create new 
markets while they extend old ones. Inland Navigation 
has not only been the "means of enlarging our foreign com- 
merce, but of giving birth to an internal one ; which, with 
all our predilection for foreign commerce, has far exceeded 
it in extent, value, and importance. The influence which 
this Inland Navigation and Commerce has had upon our 
industry, population, and resources, has been so great, as 
in many instances to have changed the whole appearance 
of the countries through which Canals passed. 

The reasons are plain. If we appear as consumers, by 
means of Canals we are enabled to import more cheaply ; 
if as producers, we add facility both to imports and ex- 
ports. If the materials of a manufacture lie dispersed, 
Canals unite them, and at the same time supply the per- 
sons concerned in the manufacture with all their necessaries 
on the cheapest terms. The land-owner, whether as pos- 
sessing the surface of the land or the mines below it, 
necessarily finds his advantage from new markets, and 
from having a cheaper carriage both for his manure and 
his productions. The intrusion upon his pleasure-grounds 
he may the more easily forgive, when he recollects the 
gain in return to his estate, his frequent absences from his 
country residence, and the many defeats in Parliament 
which Canal-undertakers in general have experienced, solely 
on this account. Perhaps it may be laid down, as a gene- 



74 HINTS AND QUER1L.>> 

ral rule, that every Canal-Bill ought to pass in Parliament, 
when guarded in the usual manner, unless it does an un- 
fair injury to another better Canal. The gain belongs to 
the public, the risk to the individual. 

The experiment of Canals has now been made for some 
years, and to an extent, perhaps, of seven or eight hun- 
dred miles, and in most cases to the advantage of the 
public, even to the increase in many instances of land- 
carriage as well as navigation by sea. 

In some parts of the country prejudices still prevail ; and 
the popular objection, that Inland Navigation destroys our 
nursery for seamen, has frequently influenced the minds 
of those who were not biassed by any particular local 
interest. If in some instances the Coasting Navigation 
may have been lessened by it, in others it has been in- 
creased ; and there can be no doubt, that a great extension 
of our distant navigation has arisen from a system which 
has in effect converted the internal districts of our Islands 
into Coasts. The security to the communications of the 
parts of the country one with another during the tempes- 
tuous months, and in time of war, which is afforded 
by Canals, is another advantage to be added to that of 
their cheapness compared with land carriage. The ba. 
and boatmen, though they have little experience in bois- 
terous seas, are by no means unacquainted with the art of 
managing and loading vessels, and they frequently rind 
their way to our sea-ports, and thence into our navy. If 
Inland Navigation may be supposed to form but few naviga- 
tors for the sea, no lives are lost in these calm elements ; 
the di-eases of hot countries, so destructive to our seamen, 
are also unknown in them ; and they admit oi no dee 
non, whether m peace or war, to foreign services, then 



ON INLAND NAVIGATION AND CANALS. 75 

be employed by our rivals and enemies. In short, the 
abundance of fresh-water rivers and lakes in a country has 
never been thought a detriment to its navigation, but the 
contrary : and there seems no reason for supposing artificial 
Inland Navigation to be in this respect at all more in- 
jurious. Besides, we are not always to judge of the 
benefits of commerce, agriculture, and manufactures, from 
instantaneous effects and consequences. Though they may 
not in direct lines be immediately productive, yet when 
taken in the greater outlines, they frequently in their 
returns and collateral branches aid and assist each other, 
by giving employment, circulation, and wealth. 

When the history of Inland Navigation, and the spirit 
of industry and commerce come to be better understood, 
and popular prejudices decline in their influence, the ac- 
curacy of these doubts respecting the utility of Canals, 
&c. will be questioned. If we object to Canals, we may 
admit the same claims against the use of machines in our 
manufactures, and implements of husbandry in our agri- 
culture. The cheaper we can invent, labour, and trans- 
port, the better we can contend with foreigners, and the 
more hands are left at liberty to new calls, which a gene- 
ral spirit of improvements and wants create ; Ingenuity 
always proving itself the helpmate of Industry. The 
present growing state of our agriculture, population, in- 
ternal and external commerce, is the strongest proof of 
our gaining ground ; notwithstanding our incumbrance of 
debt, taxes, and dearness of labour. 

There are two countries in particular, China and Holland, 
that have systematically encouraged Canals and Inland 
Navigation at the public expense. Neither of them w r ant 
wealth, population, or employment ; and Holland abounds 



76 HINTS AND QUERIES, &C. 

in navigation, as would China also, if her policy did not 
render her averse to foreign commerce. France has not 
been deficient in public undertakings of a similar nature. 
In England, the zeal of individuals has had a public sanc- 
tion, but the undertakings have been at private expense. 
We build palaces for our public offices ; and at an immense 
expense subsidize foreign troops in peace and war for 
objects of vain glory; or to balance hostile powers, in a 
manner oftener suited to our caprices and passions than to 
our interest ; but we do not sufficiently cultivate those 
seeds of convenience, comfort, and industry, that would 
shoot out into permanent strength, wealth, and revenue at 
home. A time may come when the general system of all 
Governments may look more to the encouragement of such 
public undertakings as will tend to population, happiness, 
and improvement, in a degree far superior to our present 
ill-judged expensive systems. 

The object of the intended publication should be to give 
a history of what has been done; to remove prejudices, 
and establish information and encouragement in favour of 
future undertakings. The following Queries and Hints are 
submitted, among others that might be suggested to the 
public. The information, plans, and hints of Engineers, 
of the Agents of Canals, and of private individuals, on 
the subject should be invited. The Queries and Hints are 
all numbered, to save trouble ; and the Answers made 
may refer to these Numbers. 

The history of Canals and Inland Navigation should not 
be confined to England, or even Scotland or Ireland ; but 
it should embrace those of other countries where they hn\< 
been extended. 

London, September \5 t 1790; 



QUERIES, HINTS, &c. 

I. Plans of Inland Navigation as originally projected; and 
how far they have been carried into execution to the 
present time ; denoting particularly if any deviations ; 
and when those at present incomplete, are likely to be 
finished. 

II. The causes or objects of each particular Inland Navi- 
gation having been undertaken, and the degree in 
which the execution of the event has corresponded with 
them. 

III. The nature and extent of traffic carried on upon these 
navigations. 

IV. The different productions and manufactures of those 
places, and their neighbourhood, through which the 
Canals, &c. pass ; or with what canals or rivers they 
communicate. 

V. The effects which Canals, &c. have had upon the 
manners, industry, manufactures, population, agricul- 
ture, and mining, of the different countries where they 
have been found, especially compared with others simi- 
larly circumstanced ; and also the cheapness and facility 
with which markets have been supplied, compared with 
former times. 

VI. How far the value of lands, rents, and labour, together 
with taxes and rates, have been affected by them. 

VII. The number of people, horses, &c. supposed to be 



78 QUERIES, HINTS, EJC. 

employed by, or in consequence of, the traffic on 
Canals, &c. especially compared with the former state 
of things. 

VIII. The length, breadth, and depth of Canals ; also 
the form and size of them best adapted for use, perma- 
nency, and economy. 

IX. The fall of water on each Canal or Inland Navigation, 
and the number of locks made or intended. 

X. What have been the improvements made in the system 
of locks, inclined planes, sluices, bridges, &c. ; and how 
far they are still capable of improvement ? 

XI. How far Canals are expensive in their repairs; and 
the best remedies to prevent or remedy accidents or 
damages. 

XII. The prime and annual cost, and the revenue and 
other profits to undertakers, in the cases of Inland 
Navigations, compared. 

XIII. The tolls actually collected, compared with the ac- 
counts limited by the different Acts of Parliament. 

XIV. The quantity of tonnage used upon Canals and im- 
proved Inland Navigations estimated per annum; with 
the size, forms, and draught of barges when loaded. 

XV. What is the distance, time, and expense of convey- 
ance, respectively, along the Canals, fee to the four 
great extremities, viz. London, Bristol, Liverpool, and 
Hull ; or as far as goods can be water-bom to and from 
each place ; and the same for intermediate distances ? 

XVI. What is the time, distance, and expense of land- 
carriage in the above cases ; and where the water-car- 
riage terminates ? 

Wll. What is the comparative time and expense, con- 
venience Of uieonvcnieiKv, of iand-carria^e, in the above 



QUERIES, HTNTS, ETC. 79 

cases, as opposed to that of Canals or other Inland 
Navigation ? 

XVIII. What is the time, expense, and damage, accruing 
in conveyances in the above cases by sea, both in winter 
and summer : and also the estimated sea-risks in peace, 
and in war ? 

XIX. What convenience or inconvenience, of a general, 
local, or particular nature, has been found to attend 
Canals and Inland Navigation, especially with respect 
to health, population, and employment ; also the drain- 
ing or otherwise of the soil, &c. 

XX. W T hether Canals cannot be made convenient and use- 
ful sluices through bogs ? and to enquire, How far the ex- 
periments making in Ireland have succeeded ? with the 
general observations from them. 

XXI. How far Canals can be made subservient to the pur- 
poses of agriculture, by flooding of meadows or turning 
of mills, &c. ? 

XXII. What contrivances, implements, or machinery, have 
been employed for constructing Canals and improving 
Inland Navigation ; and what species of boats, barges, 
bridges, cranes, and other machinery, are now used 
upon them, or in connexion with them ? 

XXIII. What curious or instructive incidents have occur- 
red during the course of these undertakings ; or what 
curious and instructive anecdotes respecting the parties 
in any way concerned in them. 

XXIV. What is the best system for management and in- 
spection of the concerns of a Canal or Inland Naviga- 
tion, whether formed or forming ; and what particulars 
are most to be attended to or guarded against upon this 
occasion ? 



80 QUERIES, HINTS, ET( . 

XXV. To invite communications of plans, drawings, 
models, or explanations of projected or of executed 
Canals, sluices, locks, inclined planes, boats, bridges, 
or Canal machinery and implements; and in order to 
have information conveyed by them as perfect as possi- 
ble, deviations made, or likely to be made, should be 
particularly noticed. In Canals there can be little 
danger of rivalships in communications of this nature, 
as they are always attached to particular spots, and for 
particular objects: the advantages of them are local; 
and when communicating with other Canals, the advan- 
tages become more general, both of a public and of a 
private nature. By a freedom in communication we 
may gain experience and improve advantages. Even a 
knowledge of defects, and of the causes of the failure 
of projects, may not be without their uses. 

XXVJ. Whether a good map of England may not be 
made, shewing the state of Inland Navigation, that 
would be simple in its construction without deranging 
other objects; the lines between the counties to be plain, 
and the counties to be distinguished by a few plain sim- 
ple colours ; rivers to be described how far they are 
navigable by an anchor ; and the Canals with three 
strong colours, to distinguish th ited, executing, 

and projected. If the mountainous parts of the country 
were added, with local mineralogieal remarks, 8tC 8t£. 
the attention of the public might be directed to proper 
objects with some success, 

London, September, 15, 1790. A. H. 



No. 2. 
NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

[Continued from page 8.] 

To the Editor of Payers on Naval Architecture. 

on the preservation of timber, etc. 

Sir, 

I have read your little collection on Naval Architecture 
with pleasure, and though no theoretical or professional 
man, I have annexed what occurred to me on the occasion. 
If it gives hints to others I shall be happy in the oppor- 
tunity of drawing out the sentiments of those better in- 
formed. 

The art of building of vessels has been, in one shape or 
other, general and common to all nations and ages. Ne- 
cessity has been the mother of invention; and what acci- 
dent has discovered, design may have improved. The 
floating of trees on the surface of the waters may have 
given birth to the use of boats, and the hollowing of them 
fit for passage or burden has been an after invention. 

Throughout the globe we discover a promptness and 
similarity of manners that is singular. Man differs but 
little from man in his inventions for the common purposes 
of life : climate and products may vary, but he soon learns 
how to adapt them to his wants and uses. This is pecu- 
liarly verified in the art of ship-building in all its various 
gradations of pettiaugers, proas, boats, sloops, &c; the 
knowledge and use of them is general. In many coun- 
tries or islands we find vessels used that have been only 



82 NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

scooped or burnt out of single trees. The ribbing and 
planking of vessels, with the use of sails and oars, and 
their size, construction, and materials, have varied and 
improved in proportion to the conveniences and accommo- 
dations of the several climates in which they have been 
found, and they have been well adapted to the occasions 
and wants of man in his most untutored state. 

Though this system and principle has been the same, it 
has belonged to civilization and to commerce, among the 
more enlightened nations, to extend their ideas as their 
wants have increased ; and ship-building, with all its im- 
provements, is now become one of the greatest efforts of 
man in his most cultivated state. Notwithstanding our 
skill, we have yet much to learn, by the application of 
general principles to many points that have a near relation 
to the art of ship-building. It is not perhaps so much a 
question how to invent or make a floating body, as how to 
govern that floating body in all its varied forms by some 
common principles, under all given circumstances of burden 
and despatch in the elements they have to contend with. 

From the want of uniting theory more with practice, 
the inquiries of our men of science have been very limited 
and much confined to the speculations of the closet. To 
become more useful, their pursuits and knowledge should 
be applied more to the result of experience. Our practical 
men have neither leisure or ability to follow up abstruse or 
abstracted speculations; and it maybe admitted as a doubt, 
whether inventions and discoveries, with the improvements 
Upon them, have not been more rapid from among practical 
nun than from those who have had no experience beyond 
a speculative and theoretical education. A time may come 
when our attention to the higher classes of mathematics 



NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 83 

and philosophy may lean more to points of practical 
utility; and perhaps none is more capable of study and 
inquiry than ship -building and navigation, with all their 
collateral branches dependent upon utility, health, and 
accommodation. The French have employed some of 
their best Academicians to write on these subjects, and 
with much success; and the ships they have built are 
strong proofs of the attention they have paid. We have 
built from their models, and improved upon them. 

No ships have differed more from each other than those 
which have been built upon the same models; and so 
much do little causes frequently produce the greatest 
effects, that the same vessels have been made fast or dull 
sailers only by a difference in the size and positions of 
masts, sails, and yards, the mode of stowage, and of 
carrying of sail. Ships are like men, and their tempers 
are to be managed alike ; they are tossed to and fro, the 
one by the elements, and the other by the caprice of pas- 
sion. In ships, much will depend upon the construction, 
but much more perhaps upon management. Each size 
will be found to have a proportion peculiar to itself, and 
adapted to the nature of the service to which it is intended. 
Fishes are of all sizes, forms, and constructions, each class 
having its own proportion, and yet all enjoying the same 
common properties for the element for which they were 
intended. Ships are of a more complicated construction, 
and have at all seasons to contend with two elements, 
which are often at variance with each other, and are then 
more the governed than the governing power. 

Though much attention has been paid to the choice, 
age, cutting, and seasoning of timber, and the mode of 
preservation, both in the primitive state of timber and 

o2 



84 NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

when worked up into shipping, yet an increasing attention 
may create fresh discoveries; and as a few hints may 
lead on to others, the following are submitted for that 
purpose. 

In Sweden, a complaint was made that the timber float- 
ing and seasoning for the use of their navy was frequently 
infected with the worm. Linnaeus, on being consulted, 
found that an insect deposited its eggs in the timber ; he 
recommended the floating of the timber under water 
during the season that the insect laid its eggs. The advice 
was followed and the evil remedied. 

The following extract of a letter from a gentleman of 
considerable philosophical observation, and whose situa- 
tion gave him great opportunities of hearing the proposals 
and projects of others, having found its way into some 
circles, contains so much useful information, that a liberty 
is taken in the transcribing of it. 

" A man who had been formerly concerned in ship- 
" building, but for thirty years past has been a bridge- 
" builder, had early in life observed, on examining worm- 
H eaten ships, that the worm never eat within the seams 
" where the caulking-ehisel and the oil, &c. entered. He 
" had observed that the whaling- vessels would be eaten to 
" a honey-comb, except a little above and a little below 
" water, where the whale is brought into contact with the 
u vessel, and lies beating against it till it is cut up. A 
" plank lyirtg under water, at a mill oi' his, had been 
" obliged to be renewed annually, because eaten up by the 
" worm within the course of the year: at length a plank 
" was accidentally put down, which for some purpose had 

u been thoroughly impregnated with oil ; it remained 
" seven yean without being affected. Hence he took the 



NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 85 

" idea of heating the timber as much as possible, and 
" of impregnating it in that state with the liver-oil of 
u the cod-fish. He had practised this for thirty years, 
'• and there was no instance of the worm attacking his 
" timbers, while those in neighbouring places were imme- 
" diately destroyed. He had used the liver-oil of the 
" cod because very thick, and therefore, as he supposes, 
" more permanent in its effects ; he supposes some other 
" oils might do, but cannot speak of them experimentally. 
" He says there will be no difficulty in heating the planks 
" of a ship, after they are put on, as well as before ; but I 
" do not recollect his mentioning ever to have tried it in 
" the case of a ship." 

In America it is not uncommon to bore. a hole at the 
end of timbers and pour oil into the same, from whence 
it soon disperses itself throughout the pores. They also 
apply salt between the ribs with great success. Salt-ships 
are known to be well-seasoned and lasting. 

As the navy makes so formidable a part of our power and 
of the ship-building of this country, it would be a proper 
question to know the proportions best adapted to each 
rate, so as to combine burden, sailing, fighting, and ac- 
commodation for men; attending also to the size of masts 
and construction of sails. It may be also admitted as a 
question, What sized vessels are best calculated for the 
transportation of troops, with respect to health, safety, 
despatch, and national economy? 

It would be an object of moment to devise some plan 
for the better preservation of timber between wind and 
water ; to consider of the best mode of sheathing, cop- 
pering, and paying of ships' bottoms ; and what is the 
best preservative against the worm and foul bottoms, when 



86 NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

ships are not coppered. Whether coppering of the navy 
has had any effect upon the timber? and whether, when 
in ordinary, it would or would not be advisable to let 
them remain in that state ? Whether from the great wear 
and tear of a ship being principally confined to its upper 
works, by constant straining and exposure, it might not 
be advisable to strengthen those parts by additional beams 
and making the timbers in parts stronger ? What would 
be the effect of laying double floors or crossways ? 

As ship-buildiiig forms so large a proportion of the 
wealth and the power of the country, the thoughts of sci- 
entific men might be turned more to the art itself, when 
connected with all its collateral branches ; it might also be 
made more a part of nautical education. 

At Barcelona, in Spain, (a country none of the most 
public-spirited in these points,) an academy is established 
for the noble arts, and open to all the world, where all 
who attend are taught, gratis, drawing, architecture, sculp- 
ture, &c. There are seven halls, and one of them has a 
nautical school, where every thing of tables, paper, and 
masters are provided at the public expense ; it has already 
turned out above 500 good pilots. Government here, 
without making expensive establishments, might give 
encouragement and circulate information by useful books 
among all the lower and younger classes of officers and 
men. 

Societies might be formed and premiums given for the 
best nautical and practical essays on the various branches 
dependent on navigation. 

Medals might also be Btrack for successful candidates, 
as honour with sonic may prove as greet a spur as pecu- 
niary reward. 



NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 87 

Accounts might be invited of . the numberless accidents 
that have arisen occasioned by shipwrecks, loss of masts, 
rigging, sails, and rudders, and also from leaks and short 
allowances of provisions, with the remedies and substi- 
tutes that have been applied. A selection of them might 
be made for the use of the navy and merchant-service, 
which might serve as a vade mecum in moments of dis- 
tress and danger ; and to a work of so much utility and 
humanity the Admiralty might perhaps be induced to give 
encouragement and information. The loss of rudders and 
remedies applied might be instanced in the case of his 
Majesty's ship the Lion, Captain Cornwallis. The losses 
of masts and sails are innumerable; and it is some comfort 
to those in such distress, to observe that ships under jury- 
masts seldom founder but ride out the storm like other 
ships ; and if they do not make such despatch in their 
voyages, they never invite danger by a press of sail. 
Seamen should be impressed with the danger and folly of 
deserting ships on the first alarm, when compared with 
the still greater risks they run from open boats in the 
middle of the ocean, and with short commons and no port 
at hand ; also that ships have been frequently brought into 
port when deserted by crews, and that others have been 
lost only because they have been deserted. A seaman 
should never abandon hope — it should be his motto as 
well as his sheet-anchor ; he should be strongly impressed 
with the idea that the buoyancy of a ship in itself in all 
cases will keep her long afloat when leaky; that ships will 
even swim when the water within is almost level with the 
sea without; that cargoes in themselves are frequently 
buoyant; and that if of a perishable nature, the packages 
may, however, add to that buoyancy. The preservation of 



88 NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

the Guardian man of war, Captain Riou, is a wonderful 
instance of hardships, perseverance, and safety. The 
narratives of Captains Inglefield, Bligh, and Wilson, with 
many others, might be brought to encourage confidence 
and banish despair. 

It might be recommended to officers and seamen to 
encourage among themselves more the professional know- 
ledge of the pilot. We often find expeditions and voyages 
retarded or defeated from the want of a knowledge of 
coasts and soundings, and the trusting always to men or 
pilots when the former cannot be procured. 

It might be also a useful project to oblige all captains, 
on clearing out their ships from our several custom-houses, 
when paying for lights, &c, to take with them printed 
directions and drawings of our light-houses along the 
coasts with their bearings ; the expense would be only a 
few shillings ; it would circulate information and save 
many vessels that are lost, both outward and homeward 
bound, from ignorance or want of pilots. Under the 
patronage of Government and the Trinity- house, other 
countries might be induced to make a mutual exchange of 
papers and information. 

Health to seamen is a great point of nautical impor- 
tance, and with all our precautions hitherto, it is still ca- 
llable of further improvements. Had Captain Cook's voy- 
ages been only undertaken with the idea of experiment! 
to health instead of discoveries, they would have proved a 
national object and a blessing to society, by adding to the 
lives, health, and happiness of a useful class of men both 
to the navy and to commerce. Seamen are as prodigal of 
their lite as they are of their purse; and it is incumbent 
upon us to add to the security o( their lives, when they 



NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 89 

risk so much for our wealth and convenience. To guard 
against short commons and long voyages, ships should be 
induced to take in a larger stock of provisions than cus- 
tomary, and it would be a happy discovery if we could 
make some improvement in the salting and preserving of 

provisions. 

' Ventilation is another point greatly conducive to health. 
Ships cannot in all weathers tog their bedding upon 
deck; and ventilators, as at present constructed, have been 
rather of a passive than of an active nature. There is a 
machine, which from its simplicity need not be expensive, 
that an ingenious man has invented as a cooler in his 
manufactory; it is on the principle of a winnowing ma- 
chine in a box open at two ends, with a long wooden 
trough that might be extended at pleasure ; it is worked 
by one man, and can convey in or out of the hold of a 
ship good or bad air at pleasure and to a great extent. 

I remember the late Mr. Blackburne, the surveyor, 
relating that when he was at Gloucester the gaol fever 
chanced to prevail there with great virulence, and the 
object being to ventilate a small room that held about 
thirty people, it was effected by the means of a small 
coach-wheel with little sails, placed in a box over the 
ceiling that had a funnel to go out of doors ; holes being 
made in the ceiling, the air rushed through with great 
impetuosity, when this wheel-machine set to work and 
completely ventilated the gaol. It would be easy, by 
means of a wheel or some other machine, to ventilate 
actively the holds of ships in all weathers, and it would 
be peculiarly serviceable to tenders and transports. 

I will not lengthen this letter, already too long, by an 
apology, but congratulate you by observing that there is 



90 

NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

a new-invented patent wheel to p„ mp ships without 
manual labour, which works, when lm mersed in the sea, 
by the ^stance of the ship to the sea while sailing; at 
al Itnne. ,t w„. be a useful discovery, and particu.ariy so 
when sh,ps are leaky and their crews are worn down with 
faj- -d disease. SincerCy wishing we.l to your 

I am, Sir, 

Yours, &c. 

June, 1791. A * B * 



No. 3. 
ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE. 

[Continued from page 9.] 

COPY OF THE VOTE OF THANKS, &c. 

" At a Court of Directors, London, June 1th, 1820. 

" The Sub-Governor, by desire of the Committee 
" of Inspection, communicated to the Court the follow- 
" ing Resolution of that Committee : — 

" The Governor, William Vaughan, Esq. having pre- 

" sented to this Committee a Report, dated the 29th of 

" May last, accompanied with several Books of State- 

" ments and Calculations framed and arranged by himself, 

" exhibiting results of our operations in the several bran- 

" ches of the Sea, Fire, and Life Assurances and Annuities, 

" down to the 30th of April, 1819, and shewing, in a 

" most clear, perspicuous, and combined view, the state 

" of the Company's affairs at that period ; and it being 

" stated in that Report that it is the wish of Mr. Vaughan 

" that this said Report should be deposited with the pre- 

" sent and future Governors, in order to be referred to 

" when necessary by the Committee of Inspection : 

" The Committee have resolved, and do hereby resolve, 
" to express and record their cordial thanks to Mr. 
" Vaughan for the labour, skill, and judgment displayed 
" by him in framing these valuable books and documents; 
" and do further resolve, that it will be expedient and 
" advantageous to this Corporation that the system and 



92 ROYAL EXCHANGE 

u principles on which these documents have been framed 
" by the Governor, should henceforth continue to be ap- 
" plied to all future subsequent transactions in our several 
" and respective branches of business under the superin- 
" tendance of the Governors for the time being. 
" Resolved unanimously, 
" That the Governor be requested to sit for his picture, 
" as a testimony of the high sense the Court entertain of 
" the eminent services rendered by him to the Company ; 
" and that the Committee of Treasury be requested to 
" superintend the execution of the same." 



THE ANSWER. 

tl To the Governors and Court of Directors of the 
" Royal Exchange Assurance. 

« London, Uth June, 1820. 
" Gentlemen, 

u I request the Court will be pleased to accept my best 
" thanks for the honour conferred upon me, by directing 
" the Resolutions of the Committee of Inspection to be 
" entered upon the Minutes of this Court, respecting a 
" Report and Statements of mine on the concerns of the 
" Corporation up to the 30th of April, 1819. 

" It is peculiarly gratifying to my feelings, thai theCom- 
u mittee of Inspection and this Court have been pleased 
" so unanimously to approve of the plans and suggestion! 
" in the Report and accounts presented by me, directing 
" the hints and regulations therein suggested to be adopt- 
u ed in all subsequent and future transactions, under the 



ASSURANCE COMPANY. 93 

" direction and inspection of the Governor for the time 
" being. 

" The accompanying the Resolution with a request that 
" I might sit for my picture, I cannot but accept as an 
" additional token of the kindness of this Court ; and the 
" more to be valued from its being to be placed near the 
" picture of one of the best of men, # whom all loved and 
" respected. 

" I beg to repeat my sincere acknowledgements for the 
" honour conferred upon me; with the assurance that I 
u shall use my best endeavours, in the performance of my 
" duties, to promote the welfare and prosperity of this 
" Corporation. 

" I have the honour to subscribe myself, 
" Gentlemen, 
" Your most obedient humble servant, 
(Signed) " William Vaughan." 



December 4, 1821. 

On a Resolution of the Court of Directors of the Royal 
Exchange Assurance Company that the picture of William 
Vaughan, the Governor, should be hung up in the Court- 
Room, 

The Governor stated, that he should have been wanting 
in duty and respect, if he had not returned them his sincere 
thanks for the honour they had done him by permitting 
that token of their kindness, now before him, to be 
honoured with a place in their Court- Room ; an honour 
the more to be valued from its being so seldom conferred, 

* Edward Forster, Esq. Governor. 



94 ROYAL EXCHANGE 

and rendered peculiarly gratifying to his own feelings from 
its being permitted to be the humble companion to the 
portrait of that excellent character who so long and so hap- 
pily presided over them. 

He had now spent the greatest and the most important 
part of his life in the service of the Company ; a period 
too long not to be sensible that its interests were amongst 
his first duties, and the friendships and connexions he had 
formed had been amongst the happiest events of his life. 
That he valued their confidence and kindness with grati- 
tude and pride, and would endeavour to discharge his 
duties to the best of his abilities ; but when he looked at 
the duties he had to perform, and at the character of those 
who had presided in the situation which he now held, he felt, 
and he doubly felt, that a post of honour was not without 
its anxieties. He had, however, the pleasing satisfaction 
of having an example before him worthy of imitation. He 
would endeavour to follow that example, though he was 
sensible, that with all his exertions, he should stand much 
in need of all their kindness not to disappoint their ex- 
pectation. 

He would not move for the adjournment of the Court 
without returning thanks to all the Directors, individually 
and collectively, for all the kindness and attention he had 
ever received from them, and begged they would accept 
of his best wishes for the prosperity o( the Company and 
for their happiness and welfare. 



ASSURANCE COMPANY. 95 



To the Governors and Directors of the Royal Exchange 

Assurance, 

[Continued from page 9.] 

70, Fenchurch-street, 

December 16, 1837. 
Gentlemen, 
The Committee of Inspection on the 7th of June, 1820, 
having reported to the Court of Directors " that the 
M Governor, Mr. Vaughan, had presented to that Com- 
•? mittee a Report, dated 29th May, 1820, accompanied 
" by several books of Statements and Calculations framed 
" and arranged by himself, exhibiting results of the Com- 
" pany's operations in the several branches of the Sea, 
" Fire, and Life Assurances and Annuities, down to the 
" 30th of April, 1819, and shewing, in a most clear, 
" perspicuous, and combined view, the state of the Com- 
u pany's affairs at that period ; and stating in the Report 
" that it is his wish it should be deposited with the present 
" and future Governors, in order to be referred to when 
" necessary by the Committee of Inspection ; and the 
" Committee having resolved to express their cordial 
" thanks to Mr. Vaughan for the labour, skill, and judg- 
" ment displayed by him in forming these valuable books 
" and documents ; and that it would be expedient that the 
" system and principles with which they had been framed 
" should be applied to all subsequent transactions of the 
" Company, under the superintendance of the Governors 



96 ROYAL EXCHANGE 

" for the time being. And the Court of Directors having 
" been pleased to approve and adopt the recommendations 
" of the Committee, and having been further pleased to 
" resolve that Mr. Vaughan be requested to sit for his 
" picture as a testimony of the high sense the Court 
" entertained of his eminent services." 

I was encouraged to extend my labours to the formation 
of a more comprehensive and consolidated statement of 
all the Company's affairs from its first commencement in 
1720 down to the year 1824, to which I afterwards added 
accounts for some of the branches to 1827. 

On my resignation in 1829, many of the Statements 
being unfinished or requiring some revision, I retained the 
books in my possession to complete them, which various 
circumstances prevented me from doing till a few months 
ago. 

The accounts, I trust, will be found pretty correct and 
serviceable, and I beg now to present them, that they may 
be deposited at the office for the use of the Corporation, 
as at first intended. 

In framing these accounts I have rather aimed at making 
them conform to the system and practice of the office than 
at making any alterations. 

A copious Index lias been given in each of the volumes, 
but they have been so arranged in the Beventh volume, 
which contains the Final Report, as to consolidate them 
for each branch . 

With the accounts, I have retained all documents which 
were in my possession; destroying all other papers except- 
ing those thanks which I have received, and which I shall 

ever retain a grateful scum- of. 



ASSURANCE COMPANY. 97 

Sincerely wishing prosperity to the Company, and every 
happiness to all those who preside over its affairs, 
I have the honour to be, 
Gentlemen, 

Most respectfully, 
Your sincere and humble servant, 
William Vaughan. 
A letter of thanks was returned by the Court, dated 
20th December, 1837. 



H 



No. 4. 
AN ADDRESS 

TO 

THE BRITISH SEAMEN 

AT THE 

TIME OF THE MUTINY AT THE NORE, 1797, 

BY 

WILLIAM VAUGHAN. 

[Continued from p. 13.] 



Every lover of his country has seen, with concern and 
regret, that spirit of mutiny which has lately discovered 
itself in a part of the British navy. The manner and the 
timing of it have been disgraceful to the promoters of it. 
It has however been fortunately quelled by the seamen 
returning of themselves to their duty, from a sense of their 
own improper conduct. Wishing to cast a veil over the 
past, and to guard against a return of evils, I beg to ad- 
dress a few hints to British seamen, who have a character 
attached to them which they should be ever proud to 
merit, that of being respected at home and feared abroad. 
The country no sooner heard the complaints of the seamen 
than Parliament redressed their grievances, and imme- 
diately voted an increase to their pay to the amount of 
about £530,000 per annum to the public. 

This was not confined to a particular fleet, but to the 
whole navy. After such an interposition, and a general 



AN ADDRESS, &C. 99 

pardon, the late disturbances at the Nore could never 
have originated from the seamen at large in that fleet, but 
from the endeavours of the designing few, who misguided 
the seamen by false representations, and who kept them 
ignorant of the decision of the legislature, and of the 
acquiescence and approbation of the country, and of the 
navy, to that decision. No sooner were the seamen in- 
formed of what had been done, and of the detestation that 
the country entertained of their disgraceful conduct, than 
they broke through the bands that fettered them, returned 
to their duty, and delivered up their leaders to be tried by 
the laws of their country. 

I look upon the business at the Nore as a phenomenon 
in the naval history of this country ; and I can only com- 
pare it to a sudden frost, which for the moment congealed 
every power and faculty of action until followed by as 
sudden a thaw. Lest there should be still remaining any 
ice floating, I would recommend to seamen before they 
again complain, 

1st. To look to the navy and the merchant's service of 
other countries, and see where seamen have been so well 
paid, so well fed, or so well treated as in this country. 

2d. Where they will meet with so many hospitals, 
public and private, charitable funds and institutions for 
themselves and families in case of old age, accident, or 
death. 

3d. Whether there are not thousands of foreign 
seamen who enter voluntarily into the British service in 
peace and in war, in preference to the pay and the service 
of the countries to which they belong. 

Let seamen then learn to be content, and to enjoy the 
blessings they possess. Let them rouse themselves to a 

h 2 



100 



AN ADDRESS 



true sense of their situation and duty, and be sensible that 
they cannot better serve their country than to protect it in 
time of war ; and at the termination of it, that they cannot 
better promote its interest as well as their own than by the 
exertions of peaceful industry. The nation loves the navy ; 
it is a favoured service ; if they have wrongs, their country 
will hear and redress them with kindness and with justice : 
but it has a spirit and an energy to suppress violence, 
tumult, and injustice. 

Let them reflect, where will fifty or sixty thousand 
seamen when dismissed from the navy on a peace, find 
employment but in the merchants' service ? Will merchants 
and ship-owners confide in men who have discovered a 
mutinous spirit and a want of subordination ? Will they 
not give the preference to those who can and will work 
honestly and industriously for their livelihood, and who 
can have a good character given of them. 

Let them also pause, and reflect that our commerce is 
a perpetual nursery for seamen ; and if it should be found 
necessary, the legislature might by laws and regulations 
hold out encouragements to good men, to apprentices, and 
to landsmen, or grant greater privileges to foreign seamen, 
in order to deter and BUppress that spirit of mutiny and 
dissatisfaction which has discovered itself among the tow 
who will then be left to pine and repent their own miscon- 
duct, and at the want of countenance and the want of 
employment. 

.Many of the commercial and manufacturing towns of 
(ircai Britain have followed the example o( the merchants 

and -hip-owners of London; and it gave me infinite pleasure 

to find their resolutions have been received in the navy 
with so much satisfaction and effect The thanks of the 



TO THE BRITISH SEAMEN. 101 

country are due to the officers of the navy and the marines, 
and also to the great body of the seamen for their steadi- 
ness and attachment to their country during the late 
mutiny. I will not particularize ships or men, from the 
persuasion that they had rather receive thanks for actual 
and meritorious services, than from the comparative de- 
merits of a few ships or a few misguided men. I hope the 
present trials will be a warning to the few misguided 
seamen who had been ignorantly misled. 

Rouse, then, ye British seamen ! Go join the brave 
Admiral Duncan, who with four sail of the line blockades 
the whole Dutch naval force in their own ports, while a 
British fleet ingloriously blockades the mouth of the 
Thames. Blot from the page of history the record of 
your shame, or a recollection of the transaction, by a return 
to your duty and by your exertions. It may be in your 
power to close a war honourably to yourselves, and 
favourably to your country. Emulated by the examples of 
Lord Howe on the glorious action of the 1st of June, 1794, 
and by Sir John Jervis' signal and brilliant victory on the 
14th of February, 1797, go seek the enemy off their own 
ports ; and may the laurels you gain secure to us an 
honourable and lasting peace ; remember, however, that 
the British navy and that British seamen owe their fame, 
success, and national character to vigour, union, discipline, 
and subordination, and that without them the navy is like 
a ship in a storm, without masts or rudder. 

The Seaman's Friend. 



No. 5. 
I,ORD DUNCAN'S VICTORY. 

[Continued from p. 16.] 



The active committee appointed to manage the subscrip- 
tions raised for the relief of the wounded, and the families or 
relations of those who were killed on board the fleet under 
the command of Admiral Lord Duncan, in the action of 
the 11th October, 1797, made a general statement on the 
9th of July, 1801, of the total amount of subscriptions 
received, including dividends thereon ; and the total amount 
of gratuities and annuities paid to those who were killed, 
and to the families of those who were severely wounded ; 
giving at the same time a list of the names of those who 
had not been found, to whom gratuities had been voted, 
whether British or Foreign seamen. The gratuities to 
Foreign seamen that could not be found out, after adver- 
tising, and allowing twelve months, wore voted to the 
consuls and heads of churches of the different nation- 
which they respectively belonged, for the benefit and 
relief of foreign and distressed seamen that may frequent 
our ports in time of peace. Out of the lapsed sums, 
200 guineas were presented to the Merchant Seaman's 
Office, the, Marine Society, and Naval Asylum Greenwieh, 
respectively; as Institutions intimately connected with the 
welfare and prosperity o[' the COID nd navy o( this 

Country, and as tending to afford in peace and in war, 
relief and assistance to a number of seamen with their 
families who have served en board o( Admiral Lord 

Duncan' 



duncan's victory. 103 

On the 29th October, 1802, the same committee resolved, 
— That forms of certificates be required of the life, age, 
and situation of the parties interested, and the number of 
their families, before they can be entitled to receive their 
respective annuities; and in case of death, then their 
widows and children to send certificates agreeably to the 
forms required ; and to prevent unnecessary applications, 
none were to apply but those who had been in the habit of 
receiving it ; and in case of death the widow or children 
were to apply under certain certificates and regulations. 
By information, and assistance of the officers in the navy, 
and of the magistrates, gentry, and clergy of the United 
Kingdom and of foreign countries, the number of cases un- 
claimed and entitled to relief were reduced to thirty-five out 
of 1,040 cases reported to have been killed or wounded ; and 
if any of the relations of these cases will send the particulars 
of their claims, attested by the minister and churchwardens 
of the parish, they would be immediately attended to. 
Foreigners are equally entitled. If gratuities are not 
satisfactorily cleared within twelve months, the committee 
are empowered by the resolution in 1801, to consider them 
as lapsed. 

17th January, 1804. — The committee endeavoured by 
public advertisements and other channels to find out those 
foreigners or their families (if any) who had an honourable 
and a national claim on the funds of this committee for 
services in defence of this country, and where they have 
been unsuccessful they have paid over the gratuities which 
the parties would have been entitled to receive, to consuls 
or heads of churches of foreign nations. Out of the 



104 duncan's victory. 

funds allotted for British subjects who could not be found 
out there has been paid to 

Greenwich Hospital £210 

The Marine Society, additional 210 

The Dublin Hospital 105 

The Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh 105 

as being public and national Institutions connected with 
the commerce and navy of this country. After performing 
the business of the day, and regretting the death of Cal- 
verly Bewick, Esq., the late chairman, they passed the 
following vote of thanks : — 

" The Committee at the same time feel it a duty which 
" they owe to William Vaughan, Esq., one of their 
" members, to express to him and to the public their sense 
" of obligations for his unwearied zeal and tried integrity 
" in the arduous task of attending to the affairs of this 
" committee from its commencement to its close." 

1 remember, upon Lord Nelson coming from Vienna in 
his way from the Mediterranean, his saying that nothing 
redounded more to the honour of Great Britain, than the 
putting Foreign seamen upon the same footing as the 
English. 



No. 6. 
OF THE INFLUENCE OF SAVINGS' BANKS 

ON THE 

HABITS AND MORALS OF SOCIETY. 

[Continued from p. 19.] 



[This Paper was written for private communication, and was afterwards 
printed, 31st March, 181 8. J 



Since the introduction of the Poor Laws in the reign of 
Queen Elizabeth, there has been perhaps no plan which 
has held out so many advantages for the bettering the 
condition of the poor, for increasing their comforts, and 
promoting their happiness and moral habits, as the system 
of Savings' Banks. 

Though the poor laws might have been adequate for the 
maintenance of the poor according to the state of society 
and population at that period, yet these laws, with all their 
increase of rates, powers, and regulations, have been found 
every way inadequate to the present state of the country, 
and the great changes that have taken place in the habits 
and manners of the people. Notwithstanding the increase 
of industry, commerce, and wealth, the growth of pauperism 
has more than kept pace with the advancement of popu- 
lation. The lamentable increase of distress, indigence, 
and criminal delinquency within these few years has too 
plainly shown that there must have been something radi- 
cally wrong and defective in the system of the poor laws, 



106 savings' banks. 

and that the remedies hitherto applied call for new and 
powerful aids to correct those evils which have so alarm- 
ingly preyed on the morals and habits of society. Savings' 
Banks may be considered as one of those aids, and as 
forming a new era in the system of political economy. 
They create by their operations and combinations a new 
power of the first magnitude by the simplest of all agents. 

It has been stated that the creative powers of industry 
are to property, what education is to the mind ; and 
Savings' Banks, by bringing industry and frugality into 
union and action, will put it in the power of every man to 
better his condition in life by his own exertions. In these 
institutions he will find a never-failing spur to his industry ; 
a security to property, and a check to many of the evils 
arising from losses, plunder, and imprudence ; and after 
providing for the common incidents of life, a friendly fund 
and resource at hand against the day of want, sickness, 
and old age. 

Savings' Banks have established the great leading prin- 
ciples for which they have been founded ; and there cannot 
be a stronger proof of their advantage and necessity, than 
the great alacrity and avidity with which they have been 
adopted by every class of society ; and that out of the 
savings of industrious persons more than £1)00,000 lias 
been invested in Government debentures since the passing 
of (he late Act up to the. present time. 

There have been but few single deposits in the London 

Institutions exceeding £60 at a tune, and their great bulk 
as to value and number nave been under £5, Hut when 
it is taken into consideration, how much has been de- 
posited in the first year of the experiment! out of the 
Bavings of industrious individuals who may have hoarded 



savings' banks. 107 

up funds during the whole course of their lives without use, 
circulation, or interest, until called into activity by this 
system; and also how much has been further paid by 
weekly, monthly, or occasional deposits, exclusive of 
investments for children, &c. : the depositors of the first 
class can be of little moment, and are of little detriment 
to the public. 

It might be further added, that every new depositor 
bringing a new capital into play, produces confidence and 
example, and affords an additional pledge to the state for 
the protection and security of property, and for the welfare 
of society ; and that every man, that saves ten or £100 
a year out of his income, gains the first perch to inde- 
pendence, and a further removal of himself and his 
family from a state of dependence and degradation. 

When premiums and bounties are granted to encourage 
fisheries or manufactures, or preserve commercial interests, 
policy and the welfare of the community have strong 
claims to promote that laudable spirit of industry, fru- 
gality, and independence; which would tend to increase 
the happiness and comforts of society, lessen crimes and 
distresses, and in time to decrease many of those great 
parochial burthens which are oppressive to the rich and 
the poor. 

It may be also stated that Friendly Societies are found 
beneficial in making a decent provision for sickness or for 
a man's family after his decease. Savings' Banks are not 
without their advantages ; and by the adoption of both 
these plans, a man by his prudence creates a fund at all 
times for the common exigencies of life, and a more decent 
provision for his family. 



108 LONDON PROVIDE*? J NSTITUTION. 

Savings' Banks may also prove of the first importance 
in forming an early provident fund against the day of 
marriage, by laying up a store towards the maintenance of 
a family. This would decrease many of the evils that 
proceed from poverty and distress, which are frequently the 
causes and accompaniments of unhappy marriages, neg- 
lected educations, and increased poor-rates. 

These hints have been suggested rather to shew the 
value and importance of Savings' Banks in a general and 
a political point of view, than that of entering into more 
minute and particular details. 

Those who are desirons of forming and promoting 
Savings' Banks, will find ample resources in the reports of 
the Society for bettering the condition of the Poor, and in 
a valuable and excellent publication, entitled " The Annuls 
of Banks for Savings." 

A Friend to Honest Indimkv. 



LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 

To Sir Thomas Barinff, Bart.} Preside/it of the London 
Provident Institution* 

London, 22dFeb. 18 
My dear Sm, 
The circumstances that prevented my resignation of the 
situation of Chairman of the superintending Committee of 
this Institution, at the last ami eighteenth genera] and 
annual meeting, induced me to wait for the next, about to 
be held on the 26th inst. 



LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 109 

This delay has redoubled my wishes to resign it ; but at 
the same time with the gratification of witnessing another 
year's prosperity of this Institution, from its first establish- 
ment in 1816 to 1835, At my time of life it is my wish 
to enjoy that rest and repose which is so congenial to age 
with its approaching infirmities. 

I congratulate you on the present state of this Insti- 
tution ; and if we were to extend our views to a consoli- 
dated statement of the receipts, payments, and balances 
of all the Savings' Banks in the kingdom, from their first 
establishment, during the period of nineteen years, to the 
20th of November, 1835, with the accumulated number of 
deposits, they would shew their importance and influence, 
and that they rank amongst the most powerful agents in 
the system of political economy, in promoting the welfare 
and happiness of society. 

Savings' Banks may not be unaptly compared to the 
young sapling thriving in a kindly soil, until it becomes 
like the sturdy oak of a forest, whose branches give shelter 
and protection to all who seek it ; and it will be found that 
industry and temperance combined with economy will tend 
to promote the happiness, comforts, and morals of society. 
I beg to conclude with stating some circumstances con- 
nected with this Institution, that may not be very generally 
known. 

That the Society for bettering the condition of the Poor, 
about twenty years ago, first suggested the plan of 
establishing Savings' Banks within this metropolis : a meet- 
ing was convened, when many of its members, as well as 
myself, attended, when the plan was adopted, and the 
society gave the sum of fifty pounds each to this and to 
other societies towards their expenses. 



110 LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 

This Savings' Bank repaid that sum, and a further private 
subscription, from some of its members. The prosperity 
of the Institution stands as stated in the report. 

You were selected to be the first President, and I am 
happy to state that your name has long been enrolled as a 
member of the Society for bettering the condition of 
the Poor. 

With great respect and regard 
I remain, 

Dear Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) W. Vaugiian. 



LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 

At the general Annual Meeting, held on the 26th of 
February, 1836, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. President, in 
the Chair. 

A letter from William Vaughan, Esq. Vice-President 
of the Institution, and Chairman of the Superintending 
Committee, addressed to Sir Thomas Baring, Bart, and 
containing his resignation of the situation of Chairman of 
that Committee, having been read, 
Resolved unanimously, 

That (his meeting desire to express their unfeigned 
regret that William Vaughan, Esq. should feel it necessary, 
in consequence of his advanced age and consequent in- 
creasing bodily infirmities, io retire from the situation of 



LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. Ill 

Chairman of the Superintending Committee of the London 
Provident Institution. 

That while this meeting tender to Mr. Vaughan their 
grateful acknowledgment of the eminent services rendered 
to the Institution through his indefatigable zeal, assiduity, 
and ability ; they cannot forget, what must ever remain 
strongly impressed upon their minds, that he was the 
author of the Institution, over the government of which 
he has continued to extend his paternal and fostering 
care. 

Under the influence of these feelings, this meeting desire 
to return their warmest and most cordial thanks to Mr. 
Vaughan ; and to offer to him their best wishes that he 
may continue to enjoy many years of uninterrupted health 
and happiness ; and their earnest hope that the reflection of 
his having by his philanthropic exertions largely contri- 
buted to promote the temporal welfare and moral condition 
of a numerous class of his fellow-subjects, may be to him 
a lasting source of enjoyment. 

That the President be requested to communicate these 
sentiments to Mr. Vaughan. 

Mr. Vaughan sent a copy of the Report to his friend 
Mr. Rogers, enclosed in the following letter : — 

To Samuel Rogers, Esq. 

1st April, 1836. 
My dear Sir, 

I have the pleasure to send you, as an old friend, our 
last Report of the London Provident Institution, for the 



112 LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 

nineteenth year, since its first establishment, up to Novem- 
ber, 1835, which I trust will be a gratification to you. 
I should be happy if we could have you amongst us. 
I am, 

Dear Sir, 

Yours truly, 

W. Vaughan. 



To William Vaughan, Esq. 

1st April, 1836. 
My dear Sir, 
A thousand thanks for your remembrance of an old 
friend, and a thousand more for your communication. 
There is no brighter page in Homer or Milton, and happy 
should I be if I could look back on such an achievement 
as yours. But the glory was in laying the first stone. 
Are you in want of funds ? 

Yours, ever, 

S. Rogers. 



To Samuel Itogers, Esq. 

FcHchureh-sti 

Mh April, 1836. 
My dear Sir, 
Yours, of the 1st instant, has been forwarded to me. 

I received it with much pleasure and also lor its kindness. 



LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 113 

I leave to poets to chant their thousand thanks in Homerian 
verse, and content myself in agreeing with you, that letters 
from an old friend to an old friend are not without their 
value, as they bring recollections which tend to make age 
more happy and comfortable. Yours to me gave me 
double pleasure as it tendered funds unasked in case of 
need. 

In behalf of the 20,908 proprietors of the London Pro- 
vident Institution I return you their best thanks for your 
wishes; but they beg to decline your kind offer. They 
find, that under this Institution, with care, pence may 
soon be converted into pounds. I have to state that 
they feel independent in having a stake in the country they 
live in, and, have been enabled to lend, with advantage to 
themselves, half a million of money to the state. They 
also find that industry, economy, and contentment go a 
great way in promoting their comfort and happiness. 

Connected as this subject is with the good old Dr. 
Franklin's maxim, I have the pleasure to send you some 
of his Golden Rules exemplified in the enclosed little 
papers, which I hope will give you pleasure. 
I am, 

My dear Sir, 

Your sincere friend, 

W. Vaughan. 



114 LONDON PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. 



To William Vaughan, Esq, 

12th April, 1836. 
My dear Sir, 

Many thanks for your last communication. Dr. F.'s 

excellent maxims (more precious than gold) are engraven 

on my heart, with many things of far less value. 

I am, 

Yours most truly, 

Samuel Rogers. 



To William Malthj, Esq. Honorary Librarian of the 
London Institution. 

April 4th, 1836. 
My dear Sir, 

As you sometimes dine tetc-a-tetc with poets and 
bishops, I hope you will favour an old friend with your 
company, t£te-a-tetc, though no poet or bishop. I dine 
at home on Saturday and alone. Bring with you your 
appetite and budget, and we will discuss the same, and 
for your dessert we will have Professor Raiuner's Account 
of England. 

With great regard, 

I remain, DBAS 8 IE, 

Yours, sincerely, 

W. Vaughan. 



POOR RICHARD EXEMPLIFIED. 115 

To William Vaughan, Esq, 

London Institution, 

April 4th, 1836. 

Dear Sir, 

I certainly sometimes dine with poets and bishops, but I 

can sincerely say that nothing delights me more than a 

tete-a-tete with an old friend, and I shall have great pleasure 

in waiting on you next Saturday. 

Believe me, 

Yours, very truly, 

W. Maltby. 



USEFUL HINTS FOR THE LABOURER, 

PUBLISHED BY 

Wbt Habouws* Jfxitvto &ocftrn. 



POOR RICHARDS ALMANACK EXEMPLIFIED. 

Poor Richard's Almanack, written by Dr. Franklin, 
contains a volume of useful maxims for the conduct of men 
in every station of life, and should be hung up in every 
cottage. 

It begins by stating we complain of the taxes by govern- 
ment ; but we are taxed twice as much by our idleness, 
three times as much by our pride, and four times as much 
by our folly ; but if we lessened some of these useless 
taxes on ourselves, we should feel little from the others ; 
adding, God helps them that help themselves. 

i2 



116 



POOR RICHARD EXEMPLIFIED. 



These excellent maxims have been fully exemplified by 
the history of two men, who had nearly the same prospects 
of success in life, but who, from different habits, would 
probably have come to different ends, if the kindness of 
the one had not saved the other from ruin and destruction. 

John Smith was industrious, prudent, and saving ; read 
his Bible, and paid a due respect to Sundays, and had 
got on in the world ; and when he saw he could afford it, 
he took unto himself a wife, for economy, comfort, and 
happiness. 

John Careless was naturally kind-hearted, with many 
good qualities, and had more readiness and activity of 
mind and body than Smith, but was more easily led astray 
into bad company ; with a fondness for dress, and singing 
a good song, he soon raised himself to be the head of the 
club at the Red Lion. 

He became dissipated ; and neglecting his business, it 
soon forsook him ; and, by way of consolation, he took 
to the use of ardent spirits, to drown his cares, and, as he 
used to say, to keep up his spirits and to warm his body. 

The landlord of the Red Lion, finding Careless a useful 
decoy to bring customers, permitted him to run up a score, 
and a double one on a Sunday at the skittle-ground : but 
he took special good care to add another to it tor interest. 

Tlu- (lav of reckoning at last came, and the landlord 
threatened him if he did not pay off his debts. 

( 'are/ess had become too indolent to work, and did not 
know what to do; but at last resolved to apply to his 
friend, Smith, to lend him tin pounds, although he did 
not know how or when he could repay tin- same. 

Smith had a regard for Care/ess, whom he had known 
at the village day-school ; and, wishing to save him from 



POOR RICHARD EXEMPLIFIED. 117 

ruin and destruction, resolved to make an experiment, and, 
induce him to make a promise which if he would punctual- 
ly perform, he told Careless he would lend him twenty 
pounds on the following conditions : — 

Fir sty That he would promise to leave the club and the 
Red Lion ; compromise with the landlord by the payment 
of one half his score ; and lay out the remainder of the 
loan in clothing and tools, and he would find him in em- 
ployment. 

Next, That he should apply his weekly wages for food 
and raiment, and his savings from over-time should be 
honourably placed into a savings' bank to redeem his 
loan. 

Third, That if he ever went to the club or to the Red 
Lion, he should, of himself, put double the amount of his 
score into the savings' bank ; but if ever he should get 
intoxicated, he should tax himself trebly ; and that he 
should hang up Poor Richard over his chimney. It should 
be left to his own honour to keep these regulations. 

Careless was at first startled at these conditions ; but an 
event soon happened which induced him to make the 
promise. 

The landlord pressed for payment. Careless, with all 
his failings, was unwilling to go to prison, and equally 
disinclined to associate with thieves and house-breakers, 
or to be transported or hung. He consented to make the 
promise, and having made it, he kept it. 

Careless became sober, industrious, and saving; and 
soon paid off his loan, and had five pounds in the savings' 
bank at interest. 

As little habits, whether good or bad, often become 
greater, he soon found that the power of industry led to 



118 POOR RICHARD EXEMPLIFIED. 

independence, and that, whilst he was working, his very 
savings turned to gains, and that his deposits were at 
interest. 

It gave a new turn to his mind and to his exertions. 
He entered his name as a member of a temperance society, 
and soon lost his cough and dismissed his doctor, which 
was a further saving. His health became restored ; and 
he found that industry and clothing produced more food, 
warmth, and comfort, than all the ardent spirits at the 
Red Lion. 

Careless called upon his friend Smith, to thank him for 
his loan, but still more for his friendly advice ; but he had 
now still a further want, and wished to consult him about 
it. Seeing his friend Smith was well off in the world, 
comfortable and thriving, with a wife and children about 
him, he wished (o follow his example, and take unto him- 
self a wife, as he could now afford to maintain one. 

That he had met with a young woman of good temper 
and prudent conduct, who he thought would make him 
happy, and whom he wished to make so ; but he had de- 
termined, in his own mind, to keep the golden rule he 
had practised by Smith's advice — that of putting all his 
savings into the savings' bank, in the joint names of his 
wife and himself, as the surest mode of keeping from the 
Roaring Lion. 

Care/ess (Harried ; beoalme industrious and happy ; and, 
by the prudent conduct of his wife, he brought up his 
children with good and virtuous habits. He became 
respected; and soon lost the eharaeter fiC Jack Can,, 
and became better known by the name of Careful John. 

W. V. 



THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S ADDRESS. 119 



No. 7. 

Extract from the Address, delivered by His Royal 
Highness the Duke of Sussex to the Fellows of the 
Royal Society; dated ^Oth November y 1837. 

[Continued from p. 37.] 

After the Duke had stated that Her Majesty had signed 
her royal name as Patroness of the Royal Society, he goes 
on to say, 

" I now proceed to notice some of the more important 
" events connected with the administration of the Royal 
" Society during the last year. 

" One of the royal medals has been adjudged to Mr. 
" Whewell, for his valuable series of Researches on the 
" Tides, which have been published in our Transactions, 
" chiefly during the last three years. I must refer you, 
" Gentlemen, for a statement of the grounds upon which 
" this decision has been founded, to the more detailed 
" reports of the Council, which will be read to you by 
" your Secretary, Dr. Roget ; but I gladly avail myself 
" of this opportunity of expressing my respect for the 
" great talents and varied attainments of the distinguished 
" philosopher, upon whom this mark of honour has been 
" conferred. If I regard him as occupied with the highest 
" and most important practical duties connected with our 
u system of academical education, and in providing and 
'* arranging the materials by which it is conducted, or the 
" principles upon which it should be based, he will be 
" found in the foremost rank of those whose labours do 



120 THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S ADDRESS. 

" not deserve the less honour, because they commonly 

" absorb the entire time and attention of those who are 

* engaged in them; and thus close up the avenue to those 

" distinctions which are almost exclusively confined to 

H great discoveries in science, or to important productions 

" in literature. When I read his essays on the architec- 

" ture of the middle ages, on subjects of general litera- 

u ture, or on moral and metaphysical philosophy, exhibiting 

11 powers of mind so various in their application and so 

" refined and cultivated in their character, I feel inclined 

" to forget the profound historian of science in the accom- 

" plished man of letters or the learned amateur of art; 

" but it is in his last and highest vocation, whilst tracing 

" the causes which have advanced or checked the progress 

" of the inductive sciences, from the first dawn of philo- 

" sophy in Greece to their development in the nineteenth 

" century ; or in pointing out the marks of design of an Aft- 

" wise and All-powerful Providence in the greatest of 

" those works and operations of nature, which our senses 

" or our knowledge can comprehend or explain, that I 

1* recognise the productions of one of those superior minds, 

" which are accustomed to exercise a powerful and lasting 

" influence upon the intellectual character and specula- 

" tions of the age in which they flourish. 

" It is now three years since the royal medal was ad- 

" judged to Mr. Lubbock lor his Researches on Tides; and 

" the Council have availed themselves o( the first oppor- 

" t unity which was presented, by the recurrence o( the 

" cycle Of the subjects which are successively entitled to 

H the royal medals, to make a similar award to his col- 

♦< League and fellow-labourer in tins very interesting and 

u important series of Investigation. It is not for me to 



THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S ADDRESS, 121 

" attempt to balance the relative claims and merits, in 
" connexion with this subject, of these two very eminent 
" philosophers ; it is quite sufficient to remark, that the 
" first who ventured to approach this difficult and long 
" neglected inquiry was the first also who was selected for 
if honour; but I have long noticed, with equal pride and 
" satisfaction, the perfect harmony with which they have 
" carried on their co-ordinate labours, apparently indiffe- 
" rent to every object but the attainment of truth ; and 
" altogether superior to those jealousies which too fre- 
" quently present themselves amongst rival and contem- 
" poraneous labourers in the same departments of science. 

" Those who have attended to the Tidal Researches of 
" Mr. Whewell, must be aware how much light has been 
" thrown upon the character and course of the phenomena 
" of the tides by the simultaneous observations, under his 
" instructions, which were made in the month of June, 
" 1834 and 1835, at nearly five hundred stations of the 
" Coast Guard Service in Great Britain and Ireland ; and 
" simultaneously with the latter also at more than one 
" hundred stations in America, Spain, Portugal, France, 
" Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Norway. These ob- 
" servations were undertaken by the authority and through 
" the influence of the Government of this country, which 
" likewise most promptly and liberally furnished the re- 
" quisite funds and assistance for reducing the Observations 
" in such a manner as was requisite for deducing general 
" conclusions from them ; a labour much too extensive and 
" costly to be undertaken by any single individual. 

" I gladly seize this opportunity of bearing testimony, 
" occupying as I do the highest scientific station in this 
" country, to the readiness which the Lords of the Trea- 



122 THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S ADDRESS. 

" sury and the Admiralty have shown on this and on 

" every other occasion to forward scientific inquiries, and 

" particularly such as are connected with the advancement 

" of astronomy and navigation. They have granted funds 

" for reducing and publishing the Planetary Observations 

" at Greenwich, the valuable and extensive series of Ob- 

tf servations of the late Mr. Groombridge, for repeating, 

" on an adequate scale, the very important experiments of 

" Mr. Cavendish, and for many other subjects of great 

t{ scientific interest and value; and I feel satisfied that 

" every application for assistance towards the accomplish- 

" ment of any important object in science, will receive 

" from them the most willing attention and support, if it 

" comes before them with the recommendation and autho- 

11 rity of those persons who are most competent to judge 

" of its usefulness or necessity, and in such a form as 

" may justify them in appealing to Parliament for its 

M sanction of the requisite expenditure. I rejoice, Gen- 

•' tlemen, in such manifestations of the sympathy of the 

" Government of this great country for the progress of 

" science; and I trust that its influence will be felt in 

" the cordial union and co-operation of philosophers in 

" planning and in executing those great systems of Ob- 

" servations, whether simultaneous or not, which are still 

" requisite to fill up some of those blank spaces which 

" occupy so large a portion in the map of human know- 

" ledge." 

If maybe here stated, thai this country has ever been 
desirous to encourage a mutual exchange of knowled 

with other countries in objects of science. 

The friends of Professor Bowditch being desirous that 



PROFESSOR BOWDITCH. 123 

he should be made an Honorary Member of the Royal 
Society, I communicated the testimonials which had been 
transmitted to me, to Sir Joseph Banks, the late President. 
He was pleased to state, that he thought that Professor 
Bowditch would be a very proper person for the honour ; 
and after taking down, at his request, the form of the 
certificate required, he stated that he would sign it him- 
self, and get some of the Council to do the same ; he then 
returned it to me for my signature. Mr. Bowditch was 
duly elected, and I afterwards took similar measures to 
procure his election as an Honorary Member of the Royal 
Societies of Edinburgh and Dublin with success. # 

The Commissioners of the Public Records have been 
pleased, with great liberality, to present sets of their Re- 
ports to some of the public bodies and institutions of 
different States of the United States. 



* I regret to state that society has met with a great loss in the death of 
Professor Bowditch, at Boston, aged 65 years ; and having early obtained 
an interesting Memoir of his Life, delivered by the Rev. Alexander Young, 
an Eulogium by Judge White, and a Memoir by Mr. Pickering, on the 
occasion of his death, in March, 1838, I transmitted the same to the 
Council of the Royal Society. 

It may be further stated that the family of Dr. Bowditch has appro- 
priated his valuable library to the use of the public. It contains a large 
collection of philosophical and scientific works. The family has likewise 
given up the use of the apartments for it in the house in which they lived 
at Boston, to favour those objects ; and it is hoped that those Societies in 
Europe, which have presented him with their Transactions, will be induced 
to continue them to the Bowditch Library. 

The Duke of Sussex, in his Address to the Royal Society, on the 30th 
November, 1838, paid a high tribute to the talents and acquirements of 
this distinguished philosopher. 



124 PROFESSOR HASSLER. 

It is owing to the zeal and activity of my brother, John 
Vaughan, Esq., of Philadelphia, well known and much 
respected, and Treasurer of the American Philosophical 
Society, that I have been enabled to negociate exchanges 
or presents of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal 
and other Societies in this country and on the continent, 
with the American and other societies and literary men of 
America, which has tended to strengthen the union of 
science and good feeling between the two countries. 

It may be interesting to my friends to state here that 
my youngest brother, the late Samuel Vaughan, Esq., of 
Jamaica, of which island he was many years a resident, 
was for some time Member of the Assembly, and for a 
number of years an Assistant Judge of the Grand Court 
and Custos Rotulorum of the Parish of St James. Doling 
the period of his holding these offices, and, indeed, while 
he resided in the island, he, both publicly and privately, 
exerted himself for the gradual amelioration of the negro 
population, and not without a beneficial effect. He also 
wrote some interesting, able, and conciliatory papers m in 
defence of the Colonies," rebutting and refuting many of the 
aspersions and calumnies thrown out against them. He 
died in that island in 1827, much respected and regretted. 

Whilst John W. Lubbock, Esq. and Professor Whew oil 
wire communicating their discoveries and observations on 
tides, Professor llassler, with whom I had been long ac- 
quainted, transmitted to me some copies of observations 
which lie had made on the tides and coasts of America, 
by order of the American Government, and with it a report 
upon weights and measures, which 1 distributed to the 
Royal Society and other bodies and scientific persons. I 



PROFESSOR HASSLER. 125 

obtained a complete set of all his reports, and I trans- 
mitted them to Captain Beaufort, Hydrographer to the 
Admiralty, at his request. He received them with plea- 
sure, and wrote a letter himself to Professor Hassler, 
which I forwarded. Mr. Hassler transmitted a copy of 
the same to the American Navy Board at Washington ; 
it was published in the American Globe, a Government 
paper, and afterwards in the John Bull of the 28th of 
January, 1838 ; and I with pleasure give a copy of it, as 
follows : — 

Admiralty, 6th July, 1837. 
"Dear Sir, 
" I have to acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt 
" of your very valuable work on Weights and Measures, 
" and also of your correspondence on the Coast Survey. 

il The Lords of the Admiralty have commanded me to 
" thank you on their part also ; and their Lordships, the 
" public, and all the men of science in the country 
" heartily join with me, in the earnest wish that the pre- 
" liminary correspondence will have so completely cleared 
" away all official difficulties, that you will be now able to 
" advance with rapid strides that great and laborious, but 
" unspeakably important enterprise which the Government 
" of the United States have so judiciously confided to 
" your management. 

" That the Government may now effectually support 
'> your efforts, and that your health may be equal to the 
" various and constant demands upon it, are the sincere 
" wishes of, 

" Yours, faithfully, 
(Signed) " F. Beaufort." 



12G 



MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

[Continued from p. 66,] 

In closing the hints and sketches on various subjects in 
' the preceding pages, it may not be uninteresting to take a 
summary view of what England was in former ages, com- 
pared with what it is in its present state. England at one 
period, as well as Europe, was almost uncultivated and 
uncivilized, and they have required centuries to make them 
what they are. They have had their convulsions, wars, 
revolutions, and reformations ; and have been under feudal 
and other systems. 

Civilization and liberty had been for ages little under- 
stood, and may be compared to wild plants that require 
the hand of cultivation. Endand was amongst the first 
countries that began to improve ; and among other causes, 
it was to Alfred that we were indebted for Trial by Jury, 
which secured rights and property, and formed one of the 
great pillars of our constitution. 

The introduction of Christianity also caused a great 
revolution and improvement in our morals, customs, and 
habits. The Bible is now to be found in all churches, 
schools, and seminaries, and generally in all families. It 
inculcated moral and religious habits, and promoted the 
objects of civilization and the best rules for our conduct in 
life. It has taught us contentment, and is our best conso- 
lation in times of distress, age and infirmity, and holds out 
brighter prospects in a future state. In England, attention 
enerally paid to an early education in all classes of 
society, and to the encouragement of public and private 

virtue throughout the country. 

There have been few countries that have taken so deep 



MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 127 

an interest in the printing, translating and circulating the 
Bible and New Testament to all parts of the globe as 
England. By means of the New England Corporation 
for the civilization and conversion of the Indians in North 
America, founded in 1661 ; # the Society for promoting 
Christian Knowledge, founded in 1698, and the Society 
for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
founded in 1701 ; the Moravian Society; the British and 
Foreign Bible Society, and by Missionary Societies of all 
denominations; the Bible has been translated by them 
into very many languages, and distributed extensively; 
particularly in the East Indies and amongst the many 
clusters of Islands in the South Seas, as well as in New 
Holland, Van Diemen's Land, China, America, Athens, 
Arabia, Africa, &c, many of them having printing-presses ; 
and in Ireland the circulation of the Bible is becoming 
more extensive. 

It will be found by experience, that giving Missionaries 
the best education, with a knowledge of the language, 
manners and customs of the countries they visit, will with 
the aid of artizans, and a knowledge of medicine, best 
promote the objects in view ; and that Missionaries with 
wives and children will be found calculated greatly to 
promote civilization in the world. All these Societies 
expend on these objects about £500,000 per annum; to 
which may be added £50,000 per annum expended by 
similar Societies in America for sending Missionaries to 
Africa, Persia, China, Greece, Arabia, and other countries 

* The celebrated Robert Boyle was the first Governor of this Corpo- 
ration, and was equally zealous for the promotion of Christianity in 
different parts of the world. 



128 MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

in the East, and to the back parts of the United States, 
with Missionary printing-presses, &c. 

The reign of George III. is another important event in 
the history of this country. Amongst many of the ad- 
vantages in this reign have been voyages for discovery and 
science, and we are now beginning to reap their happy 
results. And the Islands in the South Seas, Australia, 
Van Diemen's Land, and others, are rising in population, 
civilization, and commerce ; and if the discovery of America 
has produced great events, similar results will, it is hoped, 
be produced by the discovery and settlements of the 
Islands in the Southern Hemisphere and New South 
Wales. Almost all the islands have been visited by navi- 
gators, whalers, and Missionaries. The Americans are 
carrying on an extensive trade in this hemisphere, and 
there is no knowing how great may be the result of things 
in these quarters within the next century. Sydney, in 
New South Wales, which was first made a refuge for con- 
victs, is now becoming a seat of commerce, emigration, 
civilization and education ; and Van Diemen's Land and 
other parts of Australia are now rising into importance. 

If England thought it good policy to transport its con- 
victs to New South Wales, which operation has been partly 
increased by the mitigated punishment of transportation 
instead of deatli ; it will on the other hand bo found that 
many convicts have carried with them their idle and 
vicious habits, and require the strong hand of power to 
govern them, -as well as religious and moral instruction to 
humanize and reform them. They form the worst class of 
persons lor colonization, and many of them have taken up 
;t system of piracy, which is fast gaining ground in 



MISSIONARIES. 129 

Australasia and Polynesia. But it is hoped, that from the 
great extent of the emigration of free settlers, with their 
wives and children, and from the recent determination of 
Government, to discontinue the transportation of convicts 
to those countries as soon as possible, and an extension 
of schools, that the religious and moral state of society- 
will soon be greatly improved in that quarter of the world. 



No. 8. 
RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 

[Continued from p. 41.] 



From the Rev. James Smirnove, Chaplain of the Russian 
Legation, Sec. Sfc. to William Vaughan y Esq. London. 

December 1st, 1802. 
Sir, 

Some time after I had the honour to visit the West-India 
Docks and to dine with you last year, having observed 
the great wish which you had expressed to procure plans 
of some of the Russian Canals, I wrote to his Excellency 
Admiral MordwinofT, Vice-President of the Imperial Ad- 
miralty, respecting your desire ; and his Excellency having 
mentioned it to the Emperor, his Imperial Majesty was 
pleased to order that a Plan of the Canal at Crondstadt, 
and also an hydraulic Map of Russia, expressing all the 
Canals which are already executed, and all those which 
are only projected or intended for execution, should be 
transmitted to you. # 

* This hydrogiaphic map is in a maho . with the follow in- 

inscription : — 

Hydrographica] map of Russia and the Docks at Cronstadt, 
Presented by 

His Imperial Majt.sty Alexander TBI FllST 

To Wll LIAM V A I ( MAN. 

1802. 

At the foot of the map is attached the lence, with explana- 

tions of the Russian characters in English. 



RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 131 

Having lately received them from his Excellency Admiral 
MordwinofT, 1 take the liberty herewith to transmit them 
to you ; and I feel myself extremely happy, Sir, to have 
had it in my power to do an agreeable thing to a person 
of so distinguished merit, and who has employed so much 
zeal and talent for the good of commerce and the public 
welfare. 

I have the honour to be, with great regard, 
Sir, 
Your most obedient humble servant, 

James Smirnove. 



The Answer, 

London, February 3d, 1803. 
Dear Sir, 

The loss of my father, and an attention to family con- 
cerns, prevented my returning you my thanks as soon as 
I could have wished for your great readiness in promoting 
my wishes in procuring the Plans of the Canals of Russia; 
I feel myself not only greatly indebted to your kindness, 
but much honoured by the gracious manner with which 
the Plans of the Canal at Crondstadt and the Hydraulic 
Map of Russia, denoting the Canals of that country made, 
executing, and in contemplation, have been conveyed to 
me through you by his Excellency Admiral MordwinofT, 
Vice-President of the Imperial Admiralty; at the command 
of his Imperial Majesty of all the Russias. 

I beg you will convey, through his Excellency, my 
most respectful thanks and acknowledgements to his Im- 



132 



RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 



perial Majesty for the same, with the assurance that I 
esteem them as being a valuable acquisition to the collec- 
tion of documents on Canals and Docks, which I have been 
making for some years, in order to accomplish objects I 
have had much at heart ; and you will much oblige me by 
requesting the Emperor and his Excellency to honour me 
by their acceptance of some Tracts favourable to the for- 
mation of Docks and of a Free-Trade. 

The plan for forming Canals in Russia, and of uniting by 
them its great rivers with its great outlets, is truly princely 
and worthy the adoption of a great nation. Friendly to 
internal improvement, I have always viewed with pleasure 
the growing objects that promoted them, from their happy 
tendency to call forth into activity that industry which con- 
tributes by pacific means to the comforts and happiness of 
society ; and nothing tends perhaps so much to change 
the face of a country, or the manners of its people, as the 
effects produced by canals, good roads, and railways, 
which so greatly facilitate the means of supplying the 
wants they create. I hope as all countries advance in 
countenancing national industry, and as their external 
wants increase, commerce may cement their union by a 
pacific system that may prove happy and beneficial to 
them all. 

With the sincere wish that England and Russia may ever 
retain such an intercourse, 1 beg to subscribe myself, with 
great regard, 

I) i. \ k Sib, 
Your most obedient humble servant, 

\\ M. \ Wi.ll \ \. 



RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 133 

From Vice-Admiral Chichagoff, Vice-President of the 
Imperial Admiralty, to William Vaughan, Esq. London. 

St. Petersburgh, 

October 30th, 1803. 
Sir, 
Having laid before his Imperial Majesty the Books and 
Plans which you sent of the London-Docks, J have the 
honour to acquaint you with his Majesty's gracious recep- 
tion and approbation of them ; as a testimony of which, his 
Majesty has been pleased to send you a diamond ring, 
which you will receive with this letter from the Reverend 
James Smirnove. It is with particular pleasure that I 
communicate it to you, and I have the honour to remain, 
Sir, 
Your most obedient humble servant, 

P. Chichagoef. 



THE ANSWER. 

London, 
December, llth, 1803. 
Sir, 

I have been honoured with your Excellency's letter of 
the 30th October, informing me that his Imperial Majesty 
the Emperor of All the Russias has been pleased to accept 
of my collection of Tracts upon Docks and Free-Trade • 
and that he had also graciously condescended to notice 
my endeavours on these subjects by directing an elegant 



134 RUSSIAN CORRESPONDENCE. 

diamond ring to be presented to me, which I have received 
through the Rev. Mr. Smirnove. 

I beg you will lay before his Imperial Majesty my most 
grateful acknowledgments, for this distinguished mark of 
his approbation of the exertions of a private individual in a 
foreign country, for the promotion of objects of general 
utility ; and I am persuaded that I am indebted for his 
Majesty's notice and kindness for the Maps of the Canals 
of Russia and Crondstadt, and for this fresh instance of 
his condescension, to the liberality of his own princely spirit, 
and to his feeling so lively an interest in what tends to 
promote the happiness and welfare of society. 

If I should be induced to think more favourably of my 
labours than I have done, it will be from the public having 
sanctioned the Plans by their adoption, and from their 
having attracted the notice of the enlightened Sovereign 
of a Great Empire. Permit me to return you my sincere 
acknowledgements for the handsome manner in which you 
have conveyed his Majesty's pleasure. 

I am, with great respect, 
Sir, 
Your Excellency's most obliged 

and obedient humble servant, 
Wm. Vaughan. 
J/is I'lne/ltNci/, 

Vice- A dm Ira L C/i icliayoff, 
6fc. cVc. Xr. 

St. Pctcrsbunjh. 



THE KM*. 



ERRATA, 

Page 29, line 10, read an Entrance at Shad well instead of a Cut at 

Bell Dock. 
Page 39, line 16, read Captain Walton instead of Mr. Pearce. 



MARCHANT, PRINTER, ING RAM-COURT, FENCHURCII-STREET. 



REASONS 



IN FAVOUR OF 



THE 



LONDON-DOCKS. 



LONDON, 1795. 



i i i ni-in Uii . fnn> 



The LONDON-DOCKS. 



THE Merchants of London have recommended to the 
public the forming of Wet Docks in Wapping, for 
the reception of 400 Sail of loaded (hips, when all are 
completed; and a Lighter-Dock, capable of holding 30* 
Lighters every tide. They are now applying to Parliament 
for leave to make the fame ; and, in order to give a fair difcuf- 
llon to all parties and all interefts, it is intended that the Bill 
fhall be read once, and printed, and then to lay over until 
the next feffions. 



The following are reafons why mercantile and city inte- 
refts mould join in the application. 

1. From the great increafe of Commerce, Shipping, and 
Revenue, for the Port of London, compared with former pe- 
riods or with the reft of England.* 

2. That the River is not adequate to the reception of 
the Shipping that frequent the Port. Navigation is frequently 
impeded, and the lofles, damages, accidents, and plunderage, 
that Shipping and Merchandize annually fuftain, will not 
fall fhort, on a moderate, computation, of 2 or 300,000 /. 
per annum. 

3. That the LeGal Quays are the fame in extent as at 
the fire of London, in 1666, being limited to between London- 
Bridge and the Tower, and are about 1464 feet long; while 
thofe of Briftol are above 4000 feet. They are limited in 



* The firft has, within this century, nearly trebled itfelf> as to Value of Import 
and Export, and forms above three r flfths of the Trade of all England. 

The fecond, as to the Number of Ships from foreign Parts, has nearly doubled 
itfelfj and as to Tonnage, nearly trebled} independent of a very great . increafe in 
the Codfting-Trade. 

The third has alfo rapidly increafed ; and the payment of Cuftoms for the Port 
of London, either in groce or in neat amount, arid are> according to Public 
Documents, nearly treble of that for all England. 

A 2 their 



( 4 ) 

their powers of improvement or extenfion, and do not ac- 
commodate one-fourth of the Commerce of the Port of Lon- 
don in bulk, while the Port itlelf enjoys three-fifths of the 
trade of all England in value.* 

The avenues alfo *to the Legal Quays are too few, too 
fteep, and too narrow. Out of th^ ten in number, there 
are only two great outlets; the others being impaflible or 
little frequented. Scarce a day partes without great ftoppa- 
ges in one of the moft principal thoroughfares of the metro- 
polis over London- Bridge, occafioned by the crowded ilate of 
the Legal Quays, &c. 

4. That many branches of Commerce have been thrown 
off from the Legal Quays to the Sufferance- Wharfs, fuch 
as rice, hemp, flax, pitch, tar, &c. and, even of thofe arti- 
cles which have been retained, wharfingers have been fre- 
quently obliged to remip or cart away Merchandizes imme- 
diately from the King's Beam to other fpots, at their own 
cxpence, and with additional rifk and trouble. 

5. That the Sufferance-Wharfs, which are moftlv out of 
the jurifdicYion cf the City, and are difperfed up and down the 
river as low as Blaclcwall, are inadequate to wants, and 
many are ill accommodated for general Merchandize, either 
for convenience, fituation, or fafety j and are often expofed 
to fun, rain, or fire. This laft has been fo frequent and ex- 
tenfive within thefe few years as to become an evil of the 
firft magnitude ; and, in three fires, near one million of 
property has been facrifieed. 

6. That Merchandize in Lighters and Craft, in its tranfit 
from the Ship to the place pf landing) often fuflains more 
damage than during the Voyage. Lighters and Craft are 
moftly open, and the goods expofed to every kind of weather, 
plunderage, and accidents, dining all the delays and impedi- 
ments for a month or fix weeks before goods arc landed. 
By thus making Lighters floating Wartboufts^ Commerce 
is laid under a heavy contribution that is deitru&tve to pro- 
pcrtv, detrimental to Revenue, and a hardfliip and delay to 
an aclive and laborious clafs of Lightermen, whofe little 
multiplied voyages would be doubled and quadrupled, if they 
thcmiclvcs could meet with more di (patch. 



• The Number of Shirs, grc.1t and fm.ill, that c-n I. y ifloat at low water, at 
the regular Mooring-Tic is, from London-Rridge to Dcpttbrd, are t.nder 8co fail. 
Coafters, and Vcffcls that ground every tide, are not included in this number. In 
179:, above 13,300 Vcllcls arrived in the Tort of London. 

7. That 



( 5 ) 

7. That thefe great delays and lolTes in the River, and the 
creat infecurity to Shipping in times of Froft, call for the 
moft fpeedy and effectual redrefs, independent of feizures 
frequently made on Goods duly entered but not landed 
within the time limited by law, from the want of accommo- 
dations in the River and of landing, and not from neglect 
and needlefs delays. 

8. That London, from its confumption and great increafe 
of foreign and domeftic Commerce, commands a Trade un- 
rivalled in moft Kingdoms ; and, in proportion to the extent 
of it, has the worft accommodations of any Trading-Port ; 
and unlefs fome meafures are taken to increafe Difpatch and 
leflen Port-Charges and other evils, Commerce will be far- 
ther driven to Out-Ports, and perhaps to foreign parts, 
without the powers of recall, when moft of the European 
powers are becoming the Patrons of Commerce as the 
Parent of Naval Strength and a Source of Revenue. 

9. That the Out-rorts, from their great difpatch and 
enterprize in bufinefs, from their Docks, and vicinity to 
Canals and Manufacturing Towns, are greatly indebted for 
their prefent and increafing profperity, and are, to a degree, 
becoming the little rivals of the great Metropolis. The 
value of the whole of their imports and exports have increa- 
fed nearly four fold, within this century, on their former 
Trade ; while that for the Port of London, for want of thefe 
advantages, have not increafed three fold, and carries on its 
Shipping and Commerce under the heavieft incumbrances of 
delays, expence, and lofles. 

10. That the great fource of thefe Evils proceed from 
the want of room and difpatch. The removal of 300 or 400 
Ships out of the River, with their attendant craft, (which 
take up double room to unload them,) would prevent a 
number of thofe evils; and by giving convenience to Com- 
merce, fafety to Shipping, and fecurity to Revenue, it would 
preferve and extend to the Port of London many of its na^ 
tural advantages. 

11. That, from the commercial and political ftate of 
Europe, London never had a fairer opportunity, by the cre- 
ation of Docks and accommodations to Trade, of becoming 
the great magazine of Corn and other Merchandize for all 
Europe, than in the prefent juncture, and without a rival. 
Holland, Oftend, and Hamburg, are living proofs how far 
the principles of a Free Trade have profpered or decreafed, 
according to political events 5 but London, from its infular 

fituation 



( 6 ) 

fituation and other caufes, will have little to fear beyond the 
difcouragements of its own Port-Charges, and its own de- 
lays. 

12. That the London-Dock, from its being fo near the 
centre of Trade, and about a quarter of a mile from the 
Tower, will not only fecure to the City for posterity, a num- 
ber of its prefent advantages, but increafe the means of ex- 
tenfion; and thofe advantages will be ftill farther increafed, 
in proportion as Inland Navigations form junctions with 
Docks. The Public are alfo alive to the neceflity and want 
of Docks ; and it is an object of confederation, whether the 
City will have to contend with the Plan of the London- 
Dock, or with others that have been in agitation; that will, 
if accompliftied, draw after them Trades, Profeflions, and 
Towns, to more diftant parts, that cannot be recalled. 

13. That to the objections ftated of, 

ift, The infringement of City Rights. 
idly, The injury to City Revenues, 
jdly, The removal of Commerce out of the City. 
4thly, The deeply affecting the interefts, profperity, and 
employments, of various clafTes of Hands and Citizens, em- 
ployed and maintained at the Legal Quays, &c. 

It may be ftated, that the Docks will not infringe on City 
Rights, they may be left as they are found. Ships in Dock 
can difcharge their Cargoes into Craft, and fend them to the 
Jvegal Quays, in the fame manner as if they had laid in the 
River, witji more ceconomy and difpatch, and with fewer in- 
juries and loffes to the Public Revenue, to Commerce, and 
to Wharfingers themfelves. For the greater convenience, 
a Lighter-Dock will be made, capable of holding from 26 to 
30 Lighters, to go in and out of Dock every Tide. The 
Legal Quays will alfo faither always command a preference 
from vicinity and fituation, and may be compared to a bee- 
hive that has ftrengtlvto throw off its fwarms without injury 
to the common ltock. 

That the Citv Revenues from Commerce, are fmall and 
limited, and may be collected and feeured in the fame man- 
ner as heretofore. 

That the City cannot accommodate the Commerce of the 
Port, and that Sufferance-Wharfs arc now become, from 
habit and ncccflity, as much the Legal Quays for the Port of 
London, as thofe within the jurifdiclion ot the City. 

That the right of (hipping and landing Goods is not vef- 
tcd in the Citv, but in Government and the Legiflature, 

for 



( 7 ) 

for the objects of Revenue. They are authorized to make 
or increafe Legal Quays and Sufferance- Wharfs, and it is 
under their jurifdiffion that the prefent Legal Quays are 
conftituted and derive their power, it being a compact be- 
tween Commerce and the Revenue to land wherever It 
may be done with convenience to the one, and fecurity to the 
other. 

That the parties immediately affected are, comparatively 
few,* either in claiTes or numbers ; and it is much better 
for the interefts of Revenue and convenience to Commerce, 
even to purchafe rights, fatisfy injuries, or grant annuities, 
than to fuffer depredatidns and oppreflions that are annually 
great, and that are detrimental to Property, and a difcredit 
to the Port. 

14. That the City of London has, at a great expence, made 
many improvements for ornament and convenience without^ 
emolument or profit, and has juft applied to Parliament for the 
removal of Temple-Bar, he, for the more convenient entry 
into the City, at the expence of ^100,000, without any 



* The following are fome of the principal leading Interefts : 

PRIVATE INTERESTS. 
The Legal Quays are twenty-one in number, are freehold, and moftly private 
property. The Owners are few, and moll: of them unconnected with the City, 
by habits, refulence, or bufinefs, farther than by the collection of rents. 

The V/liarfingers, who polTefs a leafehold eftate on high rents, created by ne-> 
ceflity and competition, and who cannot be hurt by compenfation for lofs of privi- 
leges, or by new leafes on other terms. 

The Gangsmen and Porters, who are a ufeful fet of men, and enjoy places of 
truft and confidence, and moftly for life. Their numbers are few, and about fifty j 
exclufive of men employed on about five Quays, who employ thofe that are not on 
the fame footing as Gangfmen on the other Legal Quays. 

Labourers are a fluctuating clafs of men, employed by the job or half-hour; 
and who are, as to the City, moftly aliens and ftrangers ; being principally fur- 
nifhed by Soldiers from the Tower, and who would fuftain no injury by working 
either at the Docks or at the Legal Quays. 

Carmen are a clafs of men that would be rather benefited than injured by any 
change ; and their numbers are limited to 420 Carts. 

Lightermen and Watermen. As the Docks would take the overflowings of 
Commerce which the River and Quays cannot accommodate, this clafs of men 
would be little injured. There would be employment enough for ali, and their 
profperity would depend more on the increafe and difpatch of Commerce than 
from the delays and hard/hips which they at prefent labour under. 

PUBLIC INTERESTS. 

City and Commercial Interefts will be promoted and increafed, by every atten- 
tion to convenience, fafety, and difpatch to Trade. 

Shipping-Interefts will be benefited by the great fecurity that Docks will give 
to Ships when rhe River is crowded, or affected by Frofts. 

And the Revenue, from the fafety and convenience given to Commerce, will 
meet with prote&^on and increafe. 

return 



( 8 ) 

return beyond that of a general improvement. It is hoped 
that the City will, with a becoming fpirit, join mercantile 
interefts in behalf of another plan, of infinitely more mag- 
nitude, that will not only furnifh ample means of defraying 
its own expences, but reftore the credit of the Port, by gi- 
ving convenience and fafety adequate to the wants and accom- 
modations of Commerce. 

The above hints are fubmitted with candor, and without 
intending difrefpecl: to any Clafs of Men in the various 
branches of Commerce; but attributing the evils to one 
great fource, the great increafe of Commerce and the want 
of accommodations within the Port of London. 



London, April 21, 1795. 



THE END. 



^ 



